tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40834636338442674452020-06-03T14:31:34.843-06:00Now Choose LifeChoose to Live Your Life in Abundance in the after--- after the spouse dies, after the marriage ends, after the kids leave. Join me on my journey of CHOOSING LIFE in my after.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live- Deut 30:19Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-47537525583848396872020-06-03T14:23:00.008-06:002020-06-03T14:31:34.709-06:00Peak of the Week 6-3-20<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What a week it has been. I know you are all exhausted with the sadness that we see in our country right now!! I'm trying to stay off social media as much as possible, but it is a way of life for me to connect with others and so I can't completely look away!!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It is Wednesday, the Peak of the Week, so that means I'm sharing things piquing my interest right now! I hope you find them intriguing as well!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCrf2yFlp6y4THeDgmpnMnA?fbclid=IwAR0lmdqzWVBgBXugfa-J1gRp5ouqq142ed8QvpEbiyn-KBkLztu9QXsPuB4" target="_blank">BSF Kids</a>- Bible Study Fellowship has a Youtube channel now!! If you have grandkids visiting or staying with you, you may want to subscribe to this channel. There are very many videos up yet, but keep checking back!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I saw this on Facebook and thought it would be great to hang in a classroom. If you struggle with remembering the difference maybe print this out and put it near your screen. I don't like to critique peoples' grammar online. I have made so many mistakes over the years whether they be verbal typos, typos, or just not really thinking at the time. I think this is a great reminder!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdw0aLYcAgU/XtgAFIDlSxI/AAAAAAAB7Xc/zzTWM16AU7EgPrzTd2htlwo0vYJDq0VYQCK4BGAsYHg/99155312_3293536424010812_451581679069298688_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdw0aLYcAgU/XtgAFIDlSxI/AAAAAAAB7Xc/zzTWM16AU7EgPrzTd2htlwo0vYJDq0VYQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/99155312_3293536424010812_451581679069298688_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/vinaigrette-recipes?fbclid=IwAR1_3WP_sCBPGJXsx1bofbfoKtMs-qyoaDCEK_y0zfjzDqEDDjwDwbSIQo8" target="_blank">21 Vinaigrette Recipes</a>- It's salad season! Try one of these vinaigrettes and let me know what you think!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/vinaigrette-recipes?fbclid=IwAR1_3WP_sCBPGJXsx1bofbfoKtMs-qyoaDCEK_y0zfjzDqEDDjwDwbSIQo8" target="_blank">Anti-Racism Resources</a>- This is a great resource!! We all need to educate ourselves on this matter. Hopefully, you can find a starting place here!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/content/dam/arts-sciences/history/documents/FINAL-Segregation-Along-Highway-Lines-by-Will-Fox.pdf" target="_blank">Segregation Along Highway Lines</a>- I pledged on my Instagram and Facebook accounts on Sunday that I am going to educate myself about systemic racism in this country. I had no idea that our highway system was sometimes used in segregation. If you google this topic many articles come up. I liked this one because it is an educational thesis from a graduate program. It is factual without dispute.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2y6tL1BdLV4/XtgDM2bGGNI/AAAAAAAB7X4/05krLfJpNbsEDWogmySygnmDcpwz7-t4QCK4BGAsYHg/71CLlrCR8vL._AC_SX679_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Light and Tripod" border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="679" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2y6tL1BdLV4/XtgDM2bGGNI/AAAAAAAB7X4/05krLfJpNbsEDWogmySygnmDcpwz7-t4QCK4BGAsYHg/w370-h400/71CLlrCR8vL._AC_SX679_.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2XuerkZ" target="_blank">Light and Tripod</a></div><div>It can be ordered <a href="https://amzn.to/2XuerkZ" target="_blank"><font size="4">HERE</font></a>.</div><div>Someone asked me yesterday about my tripod that I use for blogging and to get family pictures when we all want to be in the shot. This is a good price at just over $100.00, and it has held up well.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/2XXymHZ" target="_blank">Iron Fish</a>- I am still suffering from low iron. I heard about these iron fish on a podcast recently. I'm trying to be creative with different ways to get iron back into my body. Besides cooking in a cast-iron skillet, I've been boiling my water with these fish to give myself a little extra!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjF1hM7t2To/XtgErLUPU5I/AAAAAAAB7YU/U3GipaSG_XwXj6_EvrAkI7V-WQbIn9pCACK4BGAsYHg/81MdgW7od5L._AC_SX679_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="679" height="389" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjF1hM7t2To/XtgErLUPU5I/AAAAAAAB7YU/U3GipaSG_XwXj6_EvrAkI7V-WQbIn9pCACK4BGAsYHg/w400-h389/81MdgW7od5L._AC_SX679_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>It can be purchased <a href="https://amzn.to/2XXymHZ" target="_blank"><font size="4">HERE</font></a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/538433456491590" target="_blank">How to snooze someone on Facebook</a>. I've <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/538433456491590" target="_blank">SNOOZED</a> some people on Facebook this week. I love these people, but don't love what they are sharing right now. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but some people are sharing articles and are not reading them. They are simply sharing a Headline that fits their narrative. Those kinds of actions really bother me!!! Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/538433456491590" target="_blank">HERE</a> to learn how to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/538433456491590" target="_blank">SNOOZE</a> someone. Their posts will not appear on your feed for 30 days. It might save a friendship!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What I'm Reading</b>- <a href="https://amzn.to/36ZO8Gc" target="_blank">The Matchmaker</a> by Elin Hildebrand&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/36VmHO0" target="_blank"> You'll Get Through This</a> by Max Lucado</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What I'm Watching</b>- Waco on Netflix</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Pandemic on Amazon- We just finished this.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Lot's of trash TV!!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What I'm focusing on</b>- Just finished organizing our closet. It is a fairly small closet so I think I have&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;some solutions. I'm working on a post about it!!</div><div><br /></div><div>What's piquing your interest today? I'd love to hear!!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="1">**** As an Amazon Affiliate, I make a small amount of money off of some of the things I've shared if you purchase from my links.</font></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-77528754914101572002020-05-13T10:26:00.000-06:002020-05-13T10:26:08.529-06:00Peak of the Week- 5-13-20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Well, there really isn't anything new in my life. I feel like I'm slowly coming back into life though. It was such a weird time right at the beginning of quarantine. I had to have my routine bloodwork done this morning. It had to be fasting bloodwork so afterward, I stopped by Starbucks for a coffee. It made me feel so normal to get that coffee in my hand!! What have you done for the first time since quarantine that made you feel a little bit normal again!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNOszRmqaUI/XrwfALLgjQI/AAAAAAAB7Ec/0qrC2au7FzkZYiTKPvXPhTcWgQ7r4QphwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNOszRmqaUI/XrwfALLgjQI/AAAAAAAB7Ec/0qrC2au7FzkZYiTKPvXPhTcWgQ7r4QphwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4290.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br />It is Happy Wednesday- The Peak of the Week!! Here are some things Piquing my interest this week!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.loft.com/cat3500011?loc=hp_1t_carousel_a_warehousesale_viewall_curate&amp;icid=hp_1t_carousel_a_warehousesale_viewall_curate" target="_blank">The Loft</a>- Big Sale- 80% off of some of their clothes in a Warehouse sale. Check it out!!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HAMILTON-Film-is-Coming-to-Disney-July-3-20200512" target="_blank">Hamilton to be streamed</a>- Hallelujah!! I love <i>Hamilton</i>. It will be streamed on Disney+ on July 3rd.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h11pUt3fvzQ/XrsVovU7RTI/AAAAAAAB7D0/U-FDMZmfPncZb-XxqB2o_uPOx9Rz82b1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/21589269077.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="244" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h11pUt3fvzQ/XrsVovU7RTI/AAAAAAAB7D0/U-FDMZmfPncZb-XxqB2o_uPOx9Rz82b1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/21589269077.webp" width="270" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/05/07/killing-ahmaud-arbery-draws-condemnation-calls-prosecution" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Father and son charged in the killing of black Georgia jogger, Ahmaud Arbery</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">. I'm keeping my eye on this outrageous case. I just don't understand!! I ran earlier in the week and posted pictures with the #irunwithmaud and #irunwithahmaud.&nbsp; If you do anything in the awareness of this case be sure to use the hashtags. We all need to keep this case in the spotlight.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6wBHpHP08DhOSOlwBR89HOCzdazXrXCJhcowjtqDbsA-u2QJ1TjjK219XFo8UqGK1FFRN3NuYpIbvzKa-Ug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crdYIUdUOhc" target="_blank">Back to the Future- Reunited</a>- Josh Gad is bringing a smile to our faces in his Reunited Apart series on Youtube. Episode 2 brings together Back to the Future!!&nbsp; So Good!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><a href="https://healthyideasplace.com/the-best-banana-bread/" target="_blank">Best Banana Bread</a>- I have made more Banana Nut Bread in the past 2 months than I have in the past 10 years!! I love this recipe. It is delicious and so moist!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wmM7dlPt48/XrsbEIu9tiI/AAAAAAAB7EA/3ZXZEecqGDgffxzd2PSxcHor-3BIvrYLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/The-Best-Banana-Bread-Pin-683x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wmM7dlPt48/XrsbEIu9tiI/AAAAAAAB7EA/3ZXZEecqGDgffxzd2PSxcHor-3BIvrYLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/The-Best-Banana-Bread-Pin-683x1024.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>What I'm Reading</b>- Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Me by Elton John</span></span><br /><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">These are my most read right now. I've just started each of them. I guess it's a good thing I have a lot of time on my hands!!</span></span><br /><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>What I'm Watching</b>- We always watch The Voice so We have been watching how creative everyone has to be to sing their songs from home!!</span></span><br /><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>What I'm focusing on</b>- Our closet has been emptied of all of its content!! And, that said content is all over the house. Dr. T has installed shelving at the top of the closet which was just lost space. He is now adding a shoe shelving unit that he has created for me. Hopefully, the project will be completed this weekend. I can't wait to show you what I've found to help with organization.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not much going on here!! I'd love to hear what's piquing your interest!</span></span></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-55070019637544840892020-05-08T11:44:00.001-06:002020-05-08T12:25:09.965-06:00Happy Mother's Day- Give Yourself The Best Gift You'll Ever Receive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2JfxuJTjUg/XrWZo_qDngI/AAAAAAAB7Bg/CgaSmpFxdXAkRG1wxVboUfyGwhmOcSsLgCK4BGAsYHg/me%2Bkids%2Band%2Bscout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1287" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2JfxuJTjUg/XrWZo_qDngI/AAAAAAAB7Bg/CgaSmpFxdXAkRG1wxVboUfyGwhmOcSsLgCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h268/me%2Bkids%2Band%2Bscout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Happy Mother's Day! I've been a mom for 31 years now!! Wow. It really is true that The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short!!<br /><br />I would love to go back to relive just one day in our little house when my kids were young. Watching them play in the little kiddie pool or swing on our porch swing singing the song we made up about our cat, Luther. "Luther Kittie" was a big hit in those days!!<br /><br />I just finished being part of a panel of moms- that interview with my pastor will be played during our church service on Mother's Day.<br /><br />He asked some interesting questions, and I've sat here thinking about my years being a mom. It truly is still my greatest job. It's my greatest relationship. It's the biggest blessing in my life.<br /><br />If you are a mom of adult children, I know you have probably had the struggle with cutting the apron strings. According to Merriam-Webster, "cutting the apron strings" is defined as "to stop providing support." I've always heard it used toward the child. Saying that I've got to cut the apron strings so they will go on and be adults, make their own money, make their own decisions is something we hear a lot in our society. Remember the movie <u>Failure To Launch</u>?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/evzBwXvqEl4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/evzBwXvqEl4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br /><br />I've laughed with my friends that in my little family the cutting of the apron strings was for me not my kids. I've proudly raised two successful, independent young adults. It took some missteps on my part to figure out my role as a mom to adult children. I had to cut those apron strings that I was hanging on to- not them. The real failure to launch was me! Can any of you relate?<br /><br />This new role came to me over time, and it was two-fold.<br /><br />First, I had to learn that their lives are their lives. Their stories are for them to tell, not me. That is a little hard since I write a blog, but I know to ask them before I write about anything to do with their lives. I do that out of respect for them and their privacy, and also because they have made it clear to me that I need to ask before writing about them. But, the waters were murkier when it came to family.<br /><br />I had to learn from mistakes I made, that I'm not the go-between for them and extended family. As adults, their relationships with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other family members are theirs alone. It isn't my job to help foster those relationships anymore. Those were established while they were growing up. It also isn't my job any longer to share news about their lives with family members. They are adults who share what they wish to share.<br /><br />And, the hardest role to ease into is that I'm no longer their supervisor in life. I'm not here any longer to "teach" them how to live. That (hopefully) was done successfully while they were still under my roof. If I did a good job, I stressed what is truly important in life by how their dad and I lived and how we maneuvered through our daily lives.<br /><br />There have been times when the fact that I am their only parent is overwhelming. I better get things right with my relationship with them. I want to be the best mom, and now mother-in-law, that I can possibly be.<br /><br />I remember one conversation with my daughter when she was making several life decisions. I'm sure the conversation got a little heated, and she stopped me, and said,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Mom, I feel like you are judging me."</div><br />Wow! And, if I'm honest, I probably was. At the very least, I know it came across as me judging her.<br /><br />It was about this same time that I saw Beth Moore interviewed on TV. One person asked the question, "What do I do about my adult children." Her answer has stayed with me. She answered that you take all issues with adult children to the "heavenly realms" --- You pray about it.<br /><br />All of these things came together for me in one great epiphany--- I am not my adult children's judge. I am no longer the Sage on the Stage. I'm the guide on the side.&nbsp; I'm their biggest cheerleader. I am their confidant. I'm the prayer warrior.<br /><br />You know that greatest thing about being a mom to adult children, I just get to be Mom, Mommy (or as I know they sometimes think-- that crazy lady.)<br /><br />You see, the pressure is off. My job is complete. I just get to sit back and enjoy them and love them through all of the decisions that they make.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;IT IS NOT MY JOB TO JUDGE!!!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">IT IS MY JOB TO LOVE!!! And Love Unconditionally!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxhhFYAJ5_w/XrWZ8KbuNYI/AAAAAAAB7B0/8JIcHKgLP3gDixZfOqMdACMqga2ID1N_wCK4BGAsYHg/IMG_0171.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="644" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxhhFYAJ5_w/XrWZ8KbuNYI/AAAAAAAB7B0/8JIcHKgLP3gDixZfOqMdACMqga2ID1N_wCK4BGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_0171.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love being their prayer warrior. Nothing brings me greater joy than when they call or text and ask me to pray for them--- see that's really all they want. They want the freedom to live their own lives and have me there in my support position, not my supervisory role!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you made that transition with your kids? Have you given yourself the freedom to just LOVE your kids? A weight is lifted when you do!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Give yourself the best Mother's Day gift you'll ever receive!! Take&nbsp; off your judge's robe and put on<br />the wardrobe you need to wear for your adult children-- The Armor of God.<br /><br />I love that no matter how many times I read any scripture, it always feels new. I believe that freshness of scripture is not only because it is God-breathed, but because our lives are different every time we read it. Depending on what our minds are focused on when we read, determines the meaning that it has for our lives on that given day. Read these scriptures with your role as a mom of adult children in mind.<br /><br /><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Eph-6-10" id="en-NIV-29348">The Armor of God</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Eph-6-10"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10&nbsp;</span>Finally, be strong in the Lord&nbsp;and in his mighty power.</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-11" id="en-NIV-29349"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11&nbsp;</span>Put on the full armor of God,&nbsp;so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-NIV-29350"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12&nbsp;</span>For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,&nbsp;but against the rulers, against the authorities,&nbsp;against the powers&nbsp;of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-13" id="en-NIV-29351"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13&nbsp;</span>Therefore put on the full armor of God,&nbsp;so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-14" id="en-NIV-29352"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">14&nbsp;</span>Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,&nbsp;with the breastplate of righteousness in place,</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-15" id="en-NIV-29353"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15&nbsp;</span>and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-16" id="en-NIV-29354"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">16&nbsp;</span>In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,&nbsp;with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Eph-6-17" id="en-NIV-29355"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17&nbsp;</span>Take the helmet of salvation&nbsp;and the sword of the Spirit,&nbsp;which is the word of God.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Eph-6-18" id="en-NIV-29356"><span class="versenum hide" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18&nbsp;</span>And pray in the Spirit&nbsp;on all occasions&nbsp;with all kinds of prayers and requests.&nbsp;With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying&nbsp;for all the Lord’s people.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Eph-6-18"><br /></span></div>Happy Mother's Day to all you fab moms out there!! We've done our best. Now it's time to enjoy our hard work!!</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F0VRUAWtVI/XrWaEc6_53I/AAAAAAAB7CA/9lUojb7VdJcHvfwwQx6FkPdZIA2_suSGwCK4BGAsYHg/DSCN0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1145" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F0VRUAWtVI/XrWaEc6_53I/AAAAAAAB7CA/9lUojb7VdJcHvfwwQx6FkPdZIA2_suSGwCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h300/DSCN0375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-34712266037354424542020-04-26T12:39:00.000-06:002020-04-26T12:52:51.774-06:00My Sweet Dad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtTgttTLua0/XqXURROxudI/AAAAAAAB65g/ljfO1cpesjIk_lYpcLzMtwTHlr56pBNGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/save-image.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtTgttTLua0/XqXURROxudI/AAAAAAAB65g/ljfO1cpesjIk_lYpcLzMtwTHlr56pBNGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/save-image.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This verse is how my dad lived his life.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />My dad passed away on April 5th. It was a surprise and a shock all wrapped up in one terrible package. He had suffered from Dementia for many years, and we knew there was no cure- no chance of him getting better. The shock came after. With this terrible virus invading our land, we couldn't have a proper service to celebrate his life. In fact, we felt that we needed to rush and have our small family service so that we could each get back home to "hunker down" as our states are requesting.<br /><br />Grandkids didn't get to come. Family and friends didn't get to hug us and tell us stories. We didn't get to celebrate his life in a way that was worthy of the great man he was. It makes it very sad and very hard to cope with it all.<br /><br />This post is my way of honoring him! He was such a good man and a wonderful influence on my life!<br /><br />I spoke a few words at his service, and this is what I said.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XiGQEf7WZR0/XqXUkXZFGwI/AAAAAAAB65w/C6YTdBa6_K8-g8hYX_L7tA3bVTRqEJQ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-03-05-18-19-021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XiGQEf7WZR0/XqXUkXZFGwI/AAAAAAAB65w/C6YTdBa6_K8-g8hYX_L7tA3bVTRqEJQ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2019-03-05-18-19-021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They loved taking us on fun trips!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Our worlds are all smaller today because someone we loved and cared for very much is no</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> longer on this earth with us. I will be as bold as to say that the state of Texas is a bit smaller</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> today because a true Texas character is gone.&nbsp;</span></div><b id="docs-internal-guid-2f7f58b2-7fff-72ef-d425-2b39c2d5f8ee" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Daddy always said that someday he would write a book about his business dealings and he</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> would title it, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Characters I Have Known</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Well, he was the character of all characters!! A</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> shrewd businessman, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a wonderful husband, a caring</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> grandfather, and most importantly to me, a loving father-- among many other wonderful</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> things.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Daddy loved to tell stories. If you talked to him about anything, he had a story to tell you on</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> the subject. He just plain loved to talk. It was probably the thing that drove my mother the</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> most crazy- opposites truly do attract because she is a woman of very few words!! He was </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a man of many words and many stories.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It’s funny though, I sadly couldn’t tell you very many stories verbatim that I’ve heard over the </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">years. I had heard some of the same ones over and over… it wasn’t his stories that taught</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> me the most lessons. It was through his actions that I learned the most about living a good</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> life.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Daddy lived out what he talked about. He lived out what he said he believed. He was a good</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> man. And, I’m so thankful that he was my dad.</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">So what did he teach me? I think the most valuable lesson was to live out my faith. He was</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> a Christian. He lived a Christian life. It’s as simple as that.</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Daddy had a servant’s heart. He openly served his Lord. He loved to sing hymns. He served</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> as a deacon of First Baptist Church, Hereford, Texas and First Baptist Church of Gorman. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I remember specifically him going and sitting with people dying in the hospital so their families</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> could go home for rest. I remember once him going and sitting with a deceased man from our</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> church because the widow was worried about the body being alone.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Daddy served his employees. He loved and cared for them all. He once employed a young </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">man fresh out of high school in whom he saw a lot of potential. The boy was somewhat lazy</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and would sleep instead of showing up for work. Daddy would go to the boy's house and</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> drag him out of bed to come to work!!! He believed in him. That boy grew up and called him</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> several years ago to let him know that he is successful in his life. He thanked Daddy for </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">believing in him!!!-- what a legacy.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I also remember once when an employee tragically took his own life. It was a terrible time, </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and both of my parents were so upset by it. When my dad wasn’t home when he should be,</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> I asked my mom where he was. She said he had gone to that man’s house to clean up where</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> he had taken his life so his family wouldn’t have to do it. I will never forget that.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Daddy served his family. I never doubted his love for me, my sister, Susan or my mom. And,</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> don’t get me started on his love for his grandkids!! There are no words to describe the joy,</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> pride, and love that he had for those four kids.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MurozXqKxO8/XqXUjx9BmgI/AAAAAAAB65o/VRryFvOrgpsVWw5uHagUsCJGKgSV7MOTACEwYBhgL/s1600/2018-02-27-14-16-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1456" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MurozXqKxO8/XqXUjx9BmgI/AAAAAAAB65o/VRryFvOrgpsVWw5uHagUsCJGKgSV7MOTACEwYBhgL/s400/2018-02-27-14-16-024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He loved his grandkids!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There are endless stories that can be told about how he served us all. I remember calling </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">him on 9-11. I asked him how he was and what he was doing. He told me he was fine that</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> he was sitting at his desk praying!! That, in a nutshell, sums up my dad.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I always felt safe knowing that I could turn to my mom and dad for anything no matter how </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">old I was. When my first husband passed away, my dad was one of the first people I called.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> And, I have no doubt that when he hung up that phone he was praying. My parents came </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">immediately. They helped me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I will be </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eternally grateful to them both.&nbsp;</span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As much as we will all miss him, I hope we never forget hearing his voice reminding me to</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps”</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a know in it and hang on.”</span></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I’m hearing him say both these days!!</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5BWf0m6Pj8/XqXUkRuKGxI/AAAAAAAB658/929SnBVHM1889TXYyVngnfoX10zEAR8CQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2019-03-16-10-49-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1444" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5BWf0m6Pj8/XqXUkRuKGxI/AAAAAAAB658/929SnBVHM1889TXYyVngnfoX10zEAR8CQCEwYBhgL/s400/2019-03-16-10-49-017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6E5hVYKzCDU/XqXVCk4a4uI/AAAAAAAB66M/WJosNduWwRQvOtr6S0iwSk9MysRqh7n5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AgradObit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1030" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6E5hVYKzCDU/XqXVCk4a4uI/AAAAAAAB66M/WJosNduWwRQvOtr6S0iwSk9MysRqh7n5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AgradObit.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-78815453642080947602020-04-22T12:14:00.000-06:002020-04-22T12:17:18.568-06:00Peak of the Week- 4-22-20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw7YjX0iMXk/XqCJADmvzqI/AAAAAAAB644/XpgZzHvP8PUDB4Jpj-QodaCqilvhZnGnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw7YjX0iMXk/XqCJADmvzqI/AAAAAAAB644/XpgZzHvP8PUDB4Jpj-QodaCqilvhZnGnACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Presentation1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This may or may not have been me last night.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Have you reached a Rock Bottom yet? I'd love to know!</b></div><br />Boy, it has been quite some time since I did a Peak of the Week!! Life has just been life. None of us are immune to hardships, but it does seem like sometimes those hardships come well HARD!!<br /><br />I had such plans for blogging, writing, organizing my life in this new year, but that hasn't happened!! If I remember correctly, I had this great idea for my 2020 vision for the rest of my life! Each month of this year I was going to concentrate on a particular element on my life that I wanted to foster for this second half of my life- Yes, I plan on living to 112 years of age.<br /><br />I did get off to a good start. January's focus was Health. I made my appointment with a functional medicine doctor and feel that I've had good results. I just need to write about it.<br /><br />February's focus was Skincare. I had an appointment to get a Hydrafacial. I have plans to interview a friend who sells a great line of skincare products plus share some of my favorite Skincare finds. I've done some of this. I just need to write about it.<br /><br />March's focus was supposed to be prayer. I have a great prayer practice that I'm trying to stick to... I just need to write about it.<br /><br />&nbsp;Do you notice a pattern here?<br /><br />"I just need to write about it" is a constant theme in my life!!! I promise I will do better.<br /><br />But, you are here for the Peak of the Week, I hope. So here is my list of things piquing my interest this week:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFBkIdseVhE/Xp96V7TvXII/AAAAAAAB63I/Mab754MHQK064Q1283PPoVFH9N1C20wNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/79932491_102805841218694_3216985317076631552_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFBkIdseVhE/Xp96V7TvXII/AAAAAAAB63I/Mab754MHQK064Q1283PPoVFH9N1C20wNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/79932491_102805841218694_3216985317076631552_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/practicenotperfection" target="_blank">Kristin Allen Yoga-</a><br />I was able to do a Zoom yoga class with a yoga instructor that I loved to practice with here in New Mexico. She moved last year, and my life is just not the same without her in it. She truly changed my life here. She has a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/practicenotperfection" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;is doing Zoom classes a few days a week. Like her page and be sure you understand how to use Zoom, Venmo, and Spotify to get the most out of the class. I loved it on Monday when I joined in!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4l_5PNTObg/XqBycVvtNiI/AAAAAAAB63o/AgAbd2GG9KoWHhbrSxyHxzD5TzexmnASACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3920%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4l_5PNTObg/XqBycVvtNiI/AAAAAAAB63o/AgAbd2GG9KoWHhbrSxyHxzD5TzexmnASACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3920%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://www.rodanandfields.com/pages/lash-boost" target="_blank">Rodan and Fields Lash Serum</a>-<br />I finally started using the serum that I bought over a year ago religiously right after Christmas. My lashes have doubled in length!! I love them!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g21abHX4K5k/XqBzCLTSeTI/AAAAAAAB63w/WVY095K0_oYd96kB4fBrtZTSu7AnVsbcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81HI5OGDnfL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1175" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g21abHX4K5k/XqBzCLTSeTI/AAAAAAAB63w/WVY095K0_oYd96kB4fBrtZTSu7AnVsbcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/81HI5OGDnfL._SL1500_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://amzn.to/2wYktzJ" target="_blank">Facial Self Tanning Serum</a>- I tried this for the first time this morning, so I'll let you know how it goes! This self-tanner contains hyaluronic acid as well as organic oils for your skin. My favorite thing about this product is that it is sold from a small business owner. After my order, I received an email from the owner!! She attached two ebooks about using a self-tanner. Proof that you can order from Amazon and support small businesses!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGXBa1I2dxo/XqB0Py1JVUI/AAAAAAAB638/s9jOIC1nnnQP7-9kBl9XtoL-G81PD3vHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/71XciRHCQxL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGXBa1I2dxo/XqB0Py1JVUI/AAAAAAAB638/s9jOIC1nnnQP7-9kBl9XtoL-G81PD3vHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/71XciRHCQxL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://amzn.to/34USpd8" target="_blank">Jergens Natural Glow</a>- I also just ordered Jergens Natural Glow. I have used this product for several years. It is a great lotion that allows your skin to tan slowly over time. I've never gotten that orange shade on my skin from this product either!<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I'm Reading--</span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7Avgmzke9c/XqB08zBBLeI/AAAAAAAB64E/uMEEAQMBysI8cpci1dyq5DEzs8yMeAn8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/5104TRDlSJL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7Avgmzke9c/XqB08zBBLeI/AAAAAAAB64E/uMEEAQMBysI8cpci1dyq5DEzs8yMeAn8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/5104TRDlSJL.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://amzn.to/2KCGN5r" target="_blank">Team of Vipers</a>&nbsp;- I have started several tell-all books about the Trump Whitehouse, but I've never finished any of them. Each one I've started seems to have an agenda that I just wasn't going to buy into. This book is different. First, he admits that it is him who is writing! He adds fun, interesting facts about the White House in general to his anecdotes, which I'm loving. Did you know that the president's chair sits a few inches taller than the other chairs at the large conference room table that we always see in pictures of meetings with top officials?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naeOzh236KU/XqB14i0r8qI/AAAAAAAB64Q/GkdBo0TCBXIqMMEmjpcooJoUDdYjUhkewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/61srIuuL88L.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naeOzh236KU/XqB14i0r8qI/AAAAAAAB64Q/GkdBo0TCBXIqMMEmjpcooJoUDdYjUhkewCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/61srIuuL88L.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2KpiDv5" target="_blank">Of Mess and Moxie</a>- I love Jen Hatmaker!! I read Of Mess and Moxie while I was back in Texas, helping plan the small memorial service for my dad. It was just what I needed at night to be uplifted and settled before a (hopefully) good night's sleep!<br /><br />She also has a new book out this week:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHtjyZoCXNE/XqB2cABbYPI/AAAAAAAB64Y/nC_VezbZOuYVTRvyX4adP6ozHUv6j7_rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/519rorQFvpL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHtjyZoCXNE/XqB2cABbYPI/AAAAAAAB64Y/nC_VezbZOuYVTRvyX4adP6ozHUv6j7_rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/519rorQFvpL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3eO0yVx" target="_blank">Fierce Free and Full of Fire</a> will be my next read. If you aren't familiar with Jen, try a book. I promise you won't be disappointed!!<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I'm Listening to:</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://jenhatmaker.com/podcast/quarantine-bonus-series/anne-bogel-helps-us-escape-with-books-for-adults-kids/" target="_blank">For The Love Podcast- Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy)</a>-&nbsp; In keeping with this Jen Hatmaker theme I've got going on here-- Jen's For The Love podcast is my favorite! This podcast is her interview with another one of my favorite people to follow- Anne Bogel. Anne is all about books, so what's not to love? This interview centers around what we can be reading right now during this quarantine time. She talks about good books for the entire family. She also shares some great ideas about where to buy your books to help Indy booksellers!!<br /><br /><a href="http://notyourmothersmenopause.libsyn.com/ep-067-staying-healthy" target="_blank">Not Your Mothers Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely</a>&nbsp;- Because of some health issues, I've been doing quite a bit of research on Health for women my age- Going Through The Change!! I found Dr. Lovely and enjoy what she shares in this podcast. She is a functional medicine Dr. I have been seeing a functional medicine doctor to get myself and my Health lined out. In this podcast, she shares ways for us to stay healthy. She lists 5 supplements that she recommends we take! I love this. You better believe I'll be asking my Dr. about them at my next check-in appointment.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I'm Focusing On:</span></b><br />I'm still organizing, but yesterday I used my <a href="https://amzn.to/3eJa38g" target="_blank">Murphy's Oil Soap</a> and cleaned all of my kitchen cabinets.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5v-Y9Y8Zpe4/XqB8QK1CIGI/AAAAAAAB64k/C7rXbRh5aCAiCZqXiHyeioetkIuh1CJQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8193uc-201L._AC_SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="588" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5v-Y9Y8Zpe4/XqB8QK1CIGI/AAAAAAAB64k/C7rXbRh5aCAiCZqXiHyeioetkIuh1CJQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/8193uc-201L._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3eJa38g" target="_blank">Murphy Oil Soap&nbsp;</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I then went over all the cabinets and doors with <a href="https://amzn.to/3atnx4A" target="_blank">Orange Glo</a>. It made my kitchen feel so clean and smell so good.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6GZkSvfmLE/XqB81hxk4pI/AAAAAAAB64s/-2bc6j89c-gxB1x2mKoEKwOs_tWx6b-zACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81thpLu-SDL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1340" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6GZkSvfmLE/XqB81hxk4pI/AAAAAAAB64s/-2bc6j89c-gxB1x2mKoEKwOs_tWx6b-zACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/81thpLu-SDL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2VOjASX" target="_blank">Orange Glo</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So, this is how I'm Choosing Life right now. How about you? What are you doing during this strange time? What's piquing your interest today?</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-14421954735091519152020-03-13T13:20:00.001-06:002020-03-13T13:20:50.674-06:00An Average Joe's (Jane's) take on Novel Covid 19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />My daughter has told me that I need to get off of Facebook. Peoples' posts are making me a crazy woman!!! Rather than "go off" on someone on FB, I'll just post my thoughts here!! It's my blog so I can do and say what I want to- Right?<br /><br />Dr. T and I had a trip planned to go to Texas all next week to visit family. My sister and her husband have gone to Astro's Spring Training every year for over 20 years. I was going so that my parents wouldn't be alone for 2 weeks. We were going to also stop by the Dallas area and visit Dr. T's family.<br /><br />My sister and her husband knew at the beginning of this week, Monday, March 9 that they needed to make a decision on their trip. She and I talked... what are the knowns... but it was the unknown that was the most troubling. Luckily, she once again listened to that Still Small Voice (which I 100% believe is the Holy Spirit in our lives). They canceled their trip. It just wasn't worth it to them to get to Florida and not know how things would be.<br /><br />She called me the day that MLB canceled everything. They would have been in the air the moment the decision was announced. She was so thankful they made the call to cancel.<br /><br />We were to leave today (Friday, March 13) for Texas. We were driving so the chance of being around someone with the virus was even less. However, one day this week, a woman approached me and a couple of friends. After she had been around us a while, she said, "Well, I'm under self-quarantine because I was in Seatle a while ago." Really?- you're under self-quarantine until you need to run an errand? I don't think that is how it works.<br /><br />It was then that I made the decision to not go see my family. I would leave it up to Dr. T as to whether or not we went to see his. I couldn't risk other people having the same attitude as my self-quarantine encounter. And, my Still Small Voice was saying, "Don't go."<br /><br />Dr. T and I were on the same page when he got home from work. The situation was changing every few hours. It wasn't worth it for us to go to Texas. We canceled our plans.<br /><br />Since that decision, our Govoner in New Mexico has gone from requesting people to not travel outside of the state of NM, to also requesting that if people do travel, they self-quarantine for 2 weeks when they return to the state. Again, I know that many people will not adhere to her requests, but Dr. T and I have made a commitment to do what is asked of us.<br /><br />There are too many people like the man flying from NY to West Palm Beach who hadn't gotten his test results back until he was on his flight. What was he thinking? You can read about it <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/coronavirus-jetblue-new-york-florida.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><br />This is a serious matter, Folks!!!<br /><br />Here is my Rant:<br /><br />1- I'm tired of people not understanding what Novel means-<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">new and not resembling something formerly known or used" from Mirriam Webster. So, please stop saying that the Corona Virus has been around for a long time. This is a NEW one. There are and have been many uncertainties surrounding it.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">2- I'm tired of hearing that the response to this virus is "Ridiculous" and you are "over it." Get a grip!!! Dr. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has repeated over and over that this virus is 10 times more deadly than the seasonal flu. Where did you get your specialization in Infectious Diseases? Is it because it is the elderly who are the most adversely affected that you don't want to disrupt your life for a few weeks? I know that if it were affecting children more, there wouldn't be moms planning pizza parties now that schools have been closed. One resource-<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-11/fauci-warns-coronavirus-far-more-lethal-than-seasonal-flu" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">3- STOP comparing this to past epidemics like H1N1. It is not the same. I lived with a child in high school in Texas during H1N1. Some schools did close to stop the spread. <a href="https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/influenza/surveillance/2010/" target="_blank">SOURCE</a>. According to this source, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the fall of 2009, 108 campuses with an estimated total enrollment of over 29,000 students reported closures." These Texas closures were even mentioned as a positive example in stopping the spread during a press conference in New Mexico this morning. Also, for some reason, testing for H1N1 was readily available. I don't know why I just know that was the case because I had a family member get tested at a clinic in the small town we lived in. We had the results within a few minutes that she was positive. Novel Covid-19 has been a "silent spread" in our country for weeks. We just got the test available in New Mexico this week. We have no idea how many people have it because the guidelines for testing have been so strict. <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/12/814522489/singapore-wins-praise-for-its-covid-19-strategy-the-u-s-does-not" target="_blank">SOURCE</a></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4- How is the media hyping this when they are reporting what the CDC and other agencies are sending out to the American public? We have 24/7 access to news and information. That isn't NBC, CBS, ABC or Fox et al fault. It is the nature of our society today.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5- I'm really sorry that your life has been disrupted.&nbsp; I truly am. Can you please for a few weeks stop thinking about yourself and think about the total good of our country? We do not have the medical facilities to handle this outbreak if we do not "flatten the curve." <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2020/03/13/why-everything-is-closing-for-coronavirus-its-called-flattening-the-curve/#391468716e2b" target="_blank">SOURCE&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I so wish I could find the article that I read late one night this week that talked about this. I know this may seem a bit dramatic, but one of the lines of the article said something to this effect...</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Your grandfather was asked to go to war.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You are being asked to stay home.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love this country!!! I want to do what I can to keep families from losing loved ones. I want to do what I can to keep people from getting sick. I WILL do what I can...&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d3d3e; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I Will Stay Home</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="background-color: white;">This Novel Covid 19 situation is so fluid. It seems that hard decisions are having to be made by our political figures every few hours. Pray for them. Don't disparage them on social media. They are not making these decisions to make your life miserable. They are looking at the greater good of your town, state, and country!! Let's all give each other some GRACE.</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On a much lighter note. As you know, I love following <a href="https://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a> who is now living in Normandy, France. She shared her grocery store experience yesterday. There was no shortage of toilet paper or other items, except, she noticed that vinegar was very low. After she got home, she realized, that most people in France prefer to use vinegar to clean their homes. So, let's not lose our wits (or any word you can think of that rhymes with wits). We are Americans. We will get through this. And, if we are patient, kind, caring, we might just come out on the other side better people in the process.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I am controlling what I can control. I'm praying. I'm staying at home. I'm doing anything else my elected officials ask of me.&nbsp; After I post this, I'm getting off of Facebook.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Will you join me?</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3e; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: &quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2020/03/13/why-everything-is-closing-for-coronavirus-its-called-flattening-the-curve/#391468716e2b" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><br /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-19749859466681646072020-02-12T14:33:00.000-07:002020-02-12T14:33:13.973-07:00Peak of the Week 2-12-2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's the Peak of the Week!!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSP_vCIpycM/XkRndQYFfCI/AAAAAAAB6DM/ek0KXYEFwfU6S7K89Z66Loq5yTw1f9jogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSP_vCIpycM/XkRndQYFfCI/AAAAAAAB6DM/ek0KXYEFwfU6S7K89Z66Loq5yTw1f9jogCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />It was a beautiful morning in my New Mexico mountains today. Not one bit of snow melted yesterday so we woke up to a beautifully flocked town. I stopped to take some pictures on my way home from my exercise class this morning. I'm sharing these on this Peak of the Week!!<br /><br />Here is a list of things piquing my interest today!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fast-radio-burst-frb-deep-space-sending-signals-earth-every-16-days/?fbclid=IwAR1lYMXz-D2bI6XlKdkiovmeH0oJwN-Ds_o1PHqShQ3YzYJt8yURciETROQ" target="_blank">A mysterious deep space radio burst is sending is sending signals to earth every 16 days</a>- Forget about the broom balancing by itself. This is REAL!!! I think it's fascinating too!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5e4bMmrT9Y/XkRnjaw8FbI/AAAAAAAB6DQ/EbDl0F6XrGMLR8x4sHJSPFaNyKgzP-a9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5e4bMmrT9Y/XkRnjaw8FbI/AAAAAAAB6DQ/EbDl0F6XrGMLR8x4sHJSPFaNyKgzP-a9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/renee-zellweger-texas-accent/?fbclid=IwAR0y_WZNC0BDCnY9IiyvpY0yNSQywAJM3kbebbo0eR9eHWV3f_80OYozrCc" target="_blank">In Defense of Rene Zellweger's Drawl</a>- Texas Monthly is one of my favorite magazines!! I thought this article was interesting! Most of the time when I travel, people ask where I'm from and don't notice an accent. Living in New Mexico now, I have people comment on my accent quite often. I always laugh at my husband who has a strong accent. He always says, "I can turn it up. I can turn it down, but I can't turn it off." You can take the girl out of Texas, but...<br /><br /><a href="https://www.oprahmag.com/life/g24280640/documents-organize-now-before-its-too-late/?fbclid=IwAR18XREDAausEHb8w8mcxJ-h_-3MI4KzijXLPraK4WTlEOcFpb3RwZVkYTo" target="_blank">12 Documents to Organize Now- Before It's Too Late</a>- I've never thought it was morbid to think about death. I don't have a problem with death or the thought of me dying. Don't get me wrong- I'm not ready to die. I have a lot of plans!!! But, I have a strong faith, and I'm not the least bit scared of death. This list of documents to have for my kids in the event of my death makes me realize that I have some work to do!! I hope it helps you get your affairs in order.<br /><br /><br />One last thing--- <b>Readers/ Cheaters</b> whatever you want to call them. I can't see to read without mine. I've been buying them from TJ Maxx for quite a while because I keep them in every nook and cranny of my life. However, I noticed this last year that my sight at a distance is getting blurry.<br /><br />I went to the eye doctor last fall. I do need help seeing at a distance. When I went out to look at glasses, the young man helping told me that I can save a lot of money by buying Progressive Glasses. They are glasses that you buy based on your Reader number. The cheater is in the bottom, then they progressively get so that you can see at a distance midway up the lense. I had no idea that these were even an option.<br /><br />I found these on Amazon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRyDsZ17EKY/XkRscUEA2nI/AAAAAAAB6D0/oAHNihUQc7ATCN7t11vcKo03mOMYV45RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/61YjJ1-r2aL._UX679_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="679" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRyDsZ17EKY/XkRscUEA2nI/AAAAAAAB6D0/oAHNihUQc7ATCN7t11vcKo03mOMYV45RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/61YjJ1-r2aL._UX679_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You can go <a href="https://amzn.to/2tW3rRs" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see them.<br /><br />I need them for driving so I also found these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=multifocal+progressive+sunglasses+for+women&amp;crid=3KYO7KLQZ2KT8&amp;sprefix=multifocal%2Caps%2C228&amp;ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_10" target="_blank">sunglasses</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_flEcxZ1W-M/XkRtrPCpTGI/AAAAAAAB6D8/SfB1jv5K2EEMBr-BrWMZ1qAZDHyrmiviwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/51takjWPxTL._SL1050_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_flEcxZ1W-M/XkRtrPCpTGI/AAAAAAAB6D8/SfB1jv5K2EEMBr-BrWMZ1qAZDHyrmiviwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/51takjWPxTL._SL1050_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was telling a friend about these glasses the other day, and she said, "That needs to be on your Peak of the Week." So, there you have it!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-DIk88EpEA/XkRn2dEgI4I/AAAAAAAB6Dc/NjaDyZHdjU8mCLFa4GH2wtRykNJdakVOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3142%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-DIk88EpEA/XkRn2dEgI4I/AAAAAAAB6Dc/NjaDyZHdjU8mCLFa4GH2wtRykNJdakVOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3142%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These final pictures are from some of the historic homes in my town. During the Manhattan Project, the top scientist lived in these homes.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDds5OW0oCo/XkRn4_BtAOI/AAAAAAAB6Dg/qNyIddMk-KwXKh2Ieu4gvJl8Eh9Tw9dxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDds5OW0oCo/XkRn4_BtAOI/AAAAAAAB6Dg/qNyIddMk-KwXKh2Ieu4gvJl8Eh9Tw9dxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town I live in wasn't a town before WWII. During the war, as far as the average American was concerned, it still wasn't a town. Los Alamos was a secret. Everyone who lived here got their mail delivered to&nbsp; P.O. Box in Santa Fe, New Mexico.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPgtOLVRLnM/XkRn5c2cQlI/AAAAAAAB6Dk/M6XCZXinBxkQuY0T_8CkmNtLgB7EB5S2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPgtOLVRLnM/XkRn5c2cQlI/AAAAAAAB6Dk/M6XCZXinBxkQuY0T_8CkmNtLgB7EB5S2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3155.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathtub Row is a famous street in town. These houses were the only houses in town with bathtubs during the Manhattan Project.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>What I'm Reading</b>: I'm almost finished with <a href="https://amzn.to/2HfRc5a" target="_blank">A Woman Is No Man</a>.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; My friend and I finished our book study on <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2SI6aWK" target="_blank">The Screwtape Letters</a></u> by<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; C. S. Lewis. It gave us so much to think about.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Our next book study will be <a href="https://amzn.to/2OOpjFy" target="_blank"><u>A Layman Looks At The Lord's Prayer</u>&nbsp;</a>. She<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; has agreed to read it with me to keep me accountable. I'm reading it as<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; research for an idea I have for a book!!!<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br /><b>What I'm Watching</b>: We still love to watch This Is Us. It hits so close to home for our family! I didn't watch it last night, and I can't wait to watch it tonight!!<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Last night we finished watching <i>The Irishman</i> on Netflix. We both loved it. I had no idea that someone had confessed to Jimmy Hoffa's murder. It connected some dots for me historically too.<br /><br /><b>What I'm Listening to</b>: My instructor at the YMCA is playing Blake Shelton and Pitbull's version of Black Betty, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=98&amp;v=Ejdx6_hYTiY&amp;feature=emb_logo" target="_blank">Get Ready</a>. I'll definitely be downloading it for my Running playlist!! I loved <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cn_woPvjQI" target="_blank">Black Betty&nbsp;</a>. Blake Shelton's song can't beat the original, but it's still good!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday everyone!!&nbsp;</div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-49900025847027927972020-02-11T11:40:00.000-07:002020-02-11T11:40:12.213-07:00Galentine's Gifts for Valentine's Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">&nbsp;When I was growing up, my father was so sweet. He always bought my mother a big box of chocolates and my sister and me two little boxes of chocolates. (He also bought us all corsages to wear to church on Mother's Day, but I'll save that for another post!!)<br /><br />I've never really cared that much about Valentine's Day. I will admit that after my first husband passed away, it was really hard to see all the hype around Valentine's Day. It was a BIG reminder of all that I lost when I lost him. But, really, I was reminded of that almost every day.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRSXj4BBYuA/XkLz14w2voI/AAAAAAAB6C0/0jzVQO8pFOY44hkIQ1tlEn02rJSXIkyNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190323_202543540%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRSXj4BBYuA/XkLz14w2voI/AAAAAAAB6C0/0jzVQO8pFOY44hkIQ1tlEn02rJSXIkyNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_20190323_202543540%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture because it shows some of my friends who have supported me over the years.<br />I honestly don't know how I am so blessed with the friends that God has placed in my life. These women are the best!! This picture, taken at my son's wedding, only shows a few- some didn't get to come, and some I couldn't invite because of the size of the venue!! I have so much love and respect for all of these women!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Enter in my great friends!! They always seemed to have something planned whether it was a Saturday morning run, a dinner out or a trip to the beach!! I always felt loved and special because of my friends. That's why I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite things. If you have a special friend (especially one who is alone for Valentine's Day), you might want to send them a gift! All of these gifts can be found on Amazon so it isn't too late to order!!<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: &quot;Amazon Ember&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.04px;">As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases</span><br /><br />First, my all-time favorite... laundry soap. This laundry soap is like no other!! If you love Tyler candles, you will love this. I usually just use it on my sheets and towels. If I'm sure I don't have any of Dr. T's laundry in with mine, I'll even wash my workout clothes in it!! It smells so good!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DjVaFWF7AbI/XkLsXiWJMCI/AAAAAAAB6CI/xuLYgKZTdPIWw34-qtaKHur0nqc0Xx83ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81Ah%252BOGWvmL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1028" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DjVaFWF7AbI/XkLsXiWJMCI/AAAAAAAB6CI/xuLYgKZTdPIWw34-qtaKHur0nqc0Xx83ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/81Ah%252BOGWvmL._SL1500_.jpg" title="https://amzn.to/2Hhe5oV" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This soap can be purchased<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://amzn.to/2Hhe5oV" target="_blank">HERE</a></span> or most places that sell Tyler Candles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This Magnolia lotion is my favorite scent right now. It is clean and crisp!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqaeZrq0yWs/XkLuG7xMwxI/AAAAAAAB6CU/uUoVcf34nLMHe_8bSehyFzTXFS1ctpXzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/41A58guMn7L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="382" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqaeZrq0yWs/XkLuG7xMwxI/AAAAAAAB6CU/uUoVcf34nLMHe_8bSehyFzTXFS1ctpXzACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/41A58guMn7L.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It can be found <a href="https://amzn.to/2utdcqD" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">HERE</span>.&nbsp;</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I also love flowers!! I found these peonies last year and bought them. I'm surprised at how real they look!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUMh4AuPz_A/XkLux3z4HGI/AAAAAAAB6Cc/nyJHUUTjhLIENcYtJJLg5S8ULJ-xHa0XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/71Un3ejfzDL._SL1300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUMh4AuPz_A/XkLux3z4HGI/AAAAAAAB6Cc/nyJHUUTjhLIENcYtJJLg5S8ULJ-xHa0XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/71Un3ejfzDL._SL1300_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these because these are 2 bouquets for about $16.00. They are tied at the stems- ready to use!!<br />They can be found <a href="https://amzn.to/38lYbpg" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>I can't let Valentine's Day go by without reminding you of this precious book!! I met Matt when he came to my school district for a school visit when I was a librarian. We met up with him when I took my daughter to NYC that summer. He met us for dinner. Matt is the kind of person that makes you feel like you are a dear friend even though you've just met. It has been a joy to see him be acknowledged for his achievements (His book Last Stop On Market Street won the Newbery in 2016- WON, not an honor book, but the winner) Plus, I just think he is a really great guy. This little book is BIG with meaning!! I just love it!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pc4SNKeWTzM/XkLw3xQyRTI/AAAAAAAB6Co/SPTWkowYByAuNOCZRVXB-BYSXNPWFD-xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/51K14dfBl2L._SX431_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="433" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pc4SNKeWTzM/XkLw3xQyRTI/AAAAAAAB6Co/SPTWkowYByAuNOCZRVXB-BYSXNPWFD-xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/51K14dfBl2L._SX431_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It can be purchased <a href="https://amzn.to/2SlRMVz" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>These are just a few of my favorite things. How about you, do you get a special friend, one of your Tribe, a special gift? I usually don't, but I think the least I can do is let them know that I love them on that special day!!! Boy, do I love them!!!</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-19958667055624677742020-02-07T12:07:00.000-07:002020-02-07T12:07:42.534-07:00Camouflage-- How to Hide the Tummy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Camouflage- <i>n- </i>a device or stratagem used for concealment</div><br />I'm talking about my strategy for concealing my midsection which unfortunately has grown dramatically in the past couple of years!!<br /><br />I've shared before that I've gained quite a bit of weight in the last few years. My body has been going through some major changes. I'm working on getting things to even out, and I hope that my weight follows suit!! Until then, I plan on continuing to live my life to the fullest. I'll still go to workout in my tights!! I 'll still wear a swimsuit to the beach!! I'm Fat, not DEAD!!! (OK, I'm joking, sort of!!)<br /><br />So in the meantime, I try to hide the bulge that I despise!!! I went to brunch with Dr. T the other day and wore a "uniform" that seems to be my go-to way of dressing!! BLACK.<br /><br />I LOVE to wear black! I have more black in my closet than all the other colors put together. Black is a staple in my wardrobe. I guess it's because my favorite all-time look is...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SKLVMZ401E/XjyNdKgEIoI/AAAAAAAB5_w/f1yFjn7vWLoPEaDWQvYi27sgHBtpxaovACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/audrey-hepburn-394261_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SKLVMZ401E/XjyNdKgEIoI/AAAAAAAB5_w/f1yFjn7vWLoPEaDWQvYi27sgHBtpxaovACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/audrey-hepburn-394261_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a perfect, classic look. It will never go out of style!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some ways that I recreate this look and camouflage my middle at the same time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slt-m9YpjZQ/XjyQiB-BRGI/AAAAAAAB6AA/8FdBR85J8mY-oCNfQynjt8tfLqLdEcz_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slt-m9YpjZQ/XjyQiB-BRGI/AAAAAAAB6AA/8FdBR85J8mY-oCNfQynjt8tfLqLdEcz_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2890.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />I have had these leggings from Eddy Bauer for years. I found a similar pair on their website <a href="https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/20902783/women's-girl-on-the-go(r)-leggings?sp=1&amp;color=Black&amp;size=3X" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mngzLzzy62U/XjyQicghs4I/AAAAAAAB6AE/uVbyUPnuyBc8jpjqHDGhwk3xUV5LRFWHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mngzLzzy62U/XjyQicghs4I/AAAAAAAB6AE/uVbyUPnuyBc8jpjqHDGhwk3xUV5LRFWHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2892.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br />The black silhouette hides pretty much everything under this cute vest from <a href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=448932102&amp;pcid=999&amp;vid=1#pdp-page-content" target="_blank">Old Navy</a>.&nbsp; I bought several vests from <a href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=448932102&amp;pcid=999&amp;vid=1#pdp-page-content" target="_blank">Old Navy</a> this year. I love this look, but I also love layering. These vests are warm.<br /><br />Another way I like to wear this look is to add a denim jacket.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Da5109zXtU/XjySZD6WuLI/AAAAAAAB6AY/J20PUoEQow8YUaapd7v2WfCoIW1tP10gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Da5109zXtU/XjySZD6WuLI/AAAAAAAB6AY/J20PUoEQow8YUaapd7v2WfCoIW1tP10gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2895.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlVH5x3Wtqo/XjySY6Z5-NI/AAAAAAAB6AU/uwjdDClwK_w8zVnOYmlF_ulh58KzrtvKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlVH5x3Wtqo/XjySY6Z5-NI/AAAAAAAB6AU/uwjdDClwK_w8zVnOYmlF_ulh58KzrtvKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2896.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />I have owned several denim jackets over the years. This one is one of my favorites. I love that it has a vintage look to it. I bought it at <a href="https://www.zara.com/us/en/search?searchTerm=denim%20jacket" target="_blank">Zara</a>. (Remember that time the credit card machine wasn't working at Zara, and I had to ask my husband to pay cash for all my clothes?? YIKES!!! If you don't know that story, you can read it <a href="https://www.nowchooselife.net/2019/05/a-funny-thing-happened-on-my-zara.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)<br /><br />And finally, I love this black on black on black look too!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLW5g8Ep_i8/XjyUScUACXI/AAAAAAAB6As/omJhksMtMNsiQ8vU7LKuf4PQkoZPh_vUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLW5g8Ep_i8/XjyUScUACXI/AAAAAAAB6As/omJhksMtMNsiQ8vU7LKuf4PQkoZPh_vUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2904.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOyxSTdULh0/XjyURsHx7VI/AAAAAAAB6Ao/DxYO8AvafPMa1fqZ3QQ94E6nzaIufAJ5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOyxSTdULh0/XjyURsHx7VI/AAAAAAAB6Ao/DxYO8AvafPMa1fqZ3QQ94E6nzaIufAJ5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2905.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I love this coat from <a href="https://www.zara.com/us/en/belted-hooded-coat-p03046037.html?v1=43884049&amp;v2=1446427" target="_blank">Zara</a> so much, I also bought the camel color. It is a perfect weight for those not too cold days!<br /><br />So, there you have it. My favorite look. Black leggings, a black top and some sort of vest or jacket to hide my middle is pretty much how I dress most days, these days!!<br /><br />I have to give a huge Shout Out to my husband, Dr. T!! He always makes me laugh when I ask him to take my pictures. I reminded him after this that he can now add "photographer" to his resume'. Who knows-- someone out there might need a physicist/photographer someday, Right??</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-74224794146854955332020-02-05T12:52:00.000-07:002020-02-05T12:52:12.302-07:00Peak of the Week 02-05-2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you would like to receive my blog via email, please look for this on your screen. On a computer, it's to the right of the screen. If you read my blog on your phone, you have to scroll down quite a ways to find this:</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NIc39ak9qA/XjscGPL25qI/AAAAAAAB5_E/rqx4iTz0GkcEr_MkUgNrWnYDK19TzgAIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2B2020-02-05%2Bat%2B12.42.53%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="739" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NIc39ak9qA/XjscGPL25qI/AAAAAAAB5_E/rqx4iTz0GkcEr_MkUgNrWnYDK19TzgAIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Screenshot%2B2020-02-05%2Bat%2B12.42.53%2BPM.png" width="91" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just fill in your email address in the "follow by email" box. But then... you have to look for an email from Feedburner to do one more step!!! Open that Feedburner email and click that you really want to subscribe by email.</span></div><div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOmlJv3xoEQ/XjsaUQL_XWI/AAAAAAAB5-c/kzKizeTCG8ccXP-UcuZqdcSPPJEIdBCjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="734" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOmlJv3xoEQ/XjsaUQL_XWI/AAAAAAAB5-c/kzKizeTCG8ccXP-UcuZqdcSPPJEIdBCjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2630.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met this beautiful creature while out on my run Saturday. Just thought I'd share!!</td></tr></tbody></table>Happy Wednesday- The Peak of the Week. It's the day I share what's been piquing my interest!!!<br /><br />I'm going to be honest here... I haven't been feeling it (whatever IT is) the past week. I have so many things pinging around in my head, but I can't seem to find the wherewithal to write!!!<br /><br />Since this is the first post of February, I'll tell my 2020 Vision Focus for this month... It is SKINCARE.<br /><br /><br />Last month was my overall health. I made went to my functional medicine doctor's appointment last week. I had my massive amount of bloodwork done yesterday. I will write a post about my health after I go back to see the functional medicine doctor in the next week or two.<br /><br />As far as skincare, I go next week for a hydrafacial and skin evaluation!!! I'll let you know all about that. I am also going to interview my salesperson that I buy my Beautycounter products from!! So be looking for that!!!<br /><br />Now that you are caught up on my life, here are the things piquing my interest this week!!! I hope you enjoy!!<br /><br />First, and I'm sorry this is so late, but I love the idea of writing scripture. Some people love to write it and do artwork around it!! Shannon at Sweet Blessings does this scripture writing plan every month. Every month, I print it out. Take a screenshot on my phone... and unfortunately that is about as far as I get. However, I know myself. If I keep doing that, I know it will grow until one month I will start writing out scripture!!! I need to have it in my car, and then every time I find myself waiting somewhere, I can write out those scriptures for the month!!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-718sqqVPuj8/XjsSLPrW7HI/AAAAAAAB590/pYZxDQ0Cz4sKszx6s2VlkI5EhZ2Vl3V2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-24_0719.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-718sqqVPuj8/XjsSLPrW7HI/AAAAAAAB590/pYZxDQ0Cz4sKszx6s2VlkI5EhZ2Vl3V2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-01-24_0719.png" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above is what this month's plan looks like.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can find her blog post about it here at <a href="http://www.swtblessings.com/2020/01/february-scripture-writing-plan-love.html?fbclid=IwAR3-fnWKG9L_jvup5KAyoUpc20jIDXNppKn31cHuAJsV70R-IXoZ7yF6GmM" target="_blank">Sweet Blessings</a>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you end up doing this, please let me know. I'd love to hear how it goes for you!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/a30515712/how-menopause-affects-mental-health/?fbclid=IwAR2-rM513Ejm3N3UJIlbt71ZTyaVQhZzMJfrOfKvtPue46C2taJgl_xwRJ0" target="_blank">Menopause and Mental Health</a>-&nbsp; My odd health journey over the past 2 years has everything to do with perimenopause. I have started writing about it many times, but it is so convoluted, I don't know if anyone would care to try to follow it!! Hence, the functional medicine doctor I mentioned earlier!! I will write about my health when I feel I'm on the right track. The fact is that our hormones dictate so much of what is going on in our bodies!!!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://ryanandrewlangdon.wordpress.com/2020/01/28/today-i-learned-that-not-everyone-has-an-internal-monologue-and-it-has-ruined-my-day/" target="_blank">Today I learned that not everyone has an Internal Monologue and It Has Ruined My Day</a>- I have seen this article shared several places around the web lately, and I find it fascinating!!! I have a very strong Internal Monologue and didn't realize either that some people don't!!! Dr. Phil calls it our elevator music. I just have a full all-out discussion with myself at times!!! How about you? Do you talk to yourself?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What I'm Reading</b>- <a href="https://amzn.to/31qLbMk" target="_blank">A Woman Is No Man</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyWwoV2gOFE/XjsWHbsrjFI/AAAAAAAB5-A/eOCTEESy6YYNo668Qnu16IAr1v-3si3RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/51GBM8K%252B-HL._SX328_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyWwoV2gOFE/XjsWHbsrjFI/AAAAAAAB5-A/eOCTEESy6YYNo668Qnu16IAr1v-3si3RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/51GBM8K%252B-HL._SX328_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh my goodness!!! I put this ebook on hold at my library and got the email yesterday that it was available and was ready for download. I stopped reading my Elin Hilderbrand novel at 2a.m. to start this one. It is so good!!! It was one of my first thoughts when I woke up this morning, and I'm only about 2 chapters in. If you loved <u>The Kite Runner</u> or <u>A Thousand Splendid Suns</u>, I think you will love this book. It can be purchased <a href="https://amzn.to/31qLbMk" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (As an Amazon Affiliate, I get credit for qualifying purchases if you buy from a link I share.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What I'm listening to</b>: Right now my favorite song to run to is <a href="https://amzn.to/3bb7PN3" target="_blank">Selah</a> by Kanye West. It is a great song to give you some pep in your step!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kswV79tj7Q/XjsYYhecfVI/AAAAAAAB5-M/1WMzjjnC3lMmpjf2MSglwzSeWrt1aluSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/61Ptk7IYKDL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kswV79tj7Q/XjsYYhecfVI/AAAAAAAB5-M/1WMzjjnC3lMmpjf2MSglwzSeWrt1aluSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/61Ptk7IYKDL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Focus Room in my house</b>- I have so many projects that I want to work on. I am dreaming of more shelves around this odd area at our fireplace. I want bold, large shelves to flank the fireplace. Dr. T wants to make those shelves... I am waiting and waiting. I don't want to be a nag, but I really would like to get started on them.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Around the Web</b>- I am obsessed with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetandlinen/" target="_blank">Velvet and Linen</a> on Instagram. You have to follow them!! She shares wonderful pictures of all the animals on their land as well as beautiful pictures inside their home. I promise, this account will put a smile on your face everyday!!! Here are a few screenshots:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyPRA8u2WWM/Xjsa5OCWRnI/AAAAAAAB5-s/DzB1ca7VgYILvpVINumb9hdSYiYcyhkKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2923.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyPRA8u2WWM/Xjsa5OCWRnI/AAAAAAAB5-s/DzB1ca7VgYILvpVINumb9hdSYiYcyhkKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2923.PNG" width="147" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DfE_9_9BI8/Xjsa5EBeAGI/AAAAAAAB5-o/7oeEufQgaFs6evDslqAWhzqAjUO4EQ0egCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2940.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DfE_9_9BI8/Xjsa5EBeAGI/AAAAAAAB5-o/7oeEufQgaFs6evDslqAWhzqAjUO4EQ0egCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2940.PNG" width="147" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipY8Bib_7rY/Xjsa5htAjhI/AAAAAAAB5-w/QIzRBPZcsKocaoS2C-y5xMSNkT0X8ZwOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2942.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipY8Bib_7rY/Xjsa5htAjhI/AAAAAAAB5-w/QIzRBPZcsKocaoS2C-y5xMSNkT0X8ZwOACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2942.PNG" width="147" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-67091462081402016892020-01-29T14:53:00.000-07:002020-01-29T15:00:55.589-07:00The Peak of the Week! 01-29-20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Happy Wednesday!! You know I don't like to think of it as Hump Day!! I like to think of it as the Peak of the Week!! The highlight of each week is an important day. It's a day I like to share things that are piquing my interest around the Internet and in life in general!!<br /><br />I have been doing a hashtag challenge with some bloggers that I follow. It is good for me because it makes me post!! This month it's been #winterwhitewednesday. It has made me shop my closet and pull out some winter white that I've forgotten about. These jeans are an example. I had forgotten about them. They are a little vintage looking and have a small amount of fraying which I like!! I bought them at The Loft many years ago!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSN85G4wX04/XjH-CqwQqRI/AAAAAAAB5yo/lRl8_MD6UCol-lrN1I25TBPMTYa-t0-SwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSN85G4wX04/XjH-CqwQqRI/AAAAAAAB5yo/lRl8_MD6UCol-lrN1I25TBPMTYa-t0-SwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are some things piquing my interest this week!!<br /><br /><a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reading-challenge-2020/?fbclid=IwAR2dy2YcSLyzun8yfEEbHGGay7B_JR1UE4M9CdtFjgfA7vdda7AyAOSX2zY" target="_blank">Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge</a>- If you don't follow Ann Bogel, you really should. She has some great suggestions for books. This is a challenge if you feel like you want to add some interesting reads that you might not otherwise read. It might be a great thing for book clubs to follow as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/middle-age-inspiring-success-stories-melissa-hunter/?fbclid=IwAR1HvArtcudMUYTPdDWiTESTB1kIVb8X6yBkdBHrTfuorf7a34D2MS7l774&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=organic" target="_blank">Middle Age Success Stories</a>- I talk to so many women my age who feel a little lost when the kids are gone, when the job has ended, when the marriage has ended, or when the spouse has died. I certainly what it is like to be lost in a new reality!! Why do you think I write???? Here are 40 stories of people who have done something completely new in their lives. So my question to you is, what would you do with your life if there was no way you would fail at it?<br /><br /><a href="https://ladiespassiton.com/2018/10/30/to-the-woman-who-is-slowly-fading-away/?fbclid=IwAR3AVRjcebMJDADKawZlnuomRDuWKWcG2yj69gJkd3U8QeWXzNeToW4f4BQ" target="_blank">To The Woman Who Is Slowly Fading Away</a>- I had a friend tell me the other day that the older she gets, the more invisible she feels. This is a short article that speaks to that notion.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nYgF_9XBN8/XjH-LMFL1CI/AAAAAAAB5ys/Jjuuul7l1e0Sj3LC9B_YCKMJigFwM412gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1157" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nYgF_9XBN8/XjH-LMFL1CI/AAAAAAAB5ys/Jjuuul7l1e0Sj3LC9B_YCKMJigFwM412gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2866.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I went to the grocery store today! I went right after a pedicure and needed to keep my toes free!! The only problem is that we won't get out of the 30s today!! Oh well!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />&nbsp;<a href="http://www.openculture.com/freeaudiobooks" target="_blank">1,000s of free audiobooks</a>- Many classics are on this list you can download.<br /><br /><a href="https://nosidebar.com/sentimental-things/?fbclid=IwAR1CN3txo9h8FL7aF6-Iuu3mH2M6e-TcHmnF9rX-X996_lZ6v5g-nxapzTQ" target="_blank">Guide to Letting Go of Sentimental Things</a>- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/becomingminimalist/" target="_blank">Becoming Minimalist</a>&nbsp;is another great account to follow. Why is it so hard to let go of things that have meaning in our lives?<br />I love this line from the article:<br />"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;">memories and love I have for my grandmother grow more on my heart and less on her furniture"</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;">What I'm Reading- <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2RXvyYt" target="_blank">The Wives of Los Alamos</a></u>&nbsp;A friend came to visit and bought this book at the history museum here. She keeps asking me if I've read it. I finally am. It shows the sacrifice that the wives (some PhDs themselves) made to have their husbands live here and develop the atomic bomb during WWII. I highly recommend it. It's is quite interesting.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;">(If you click on the link for the above book and purchase it, I might be compensated because I'm an Amazon Affiliate.)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;">Room I'm concentrating on- My closet!! Although the house in New Mexico is about the same size as the house in Texas. The master closet is about 1/4 the size. Needless to say, I need to get rid of a lot of stuff and organize!!!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;">What I'm listening to- <a href="https://amzn.to/38RLvWG" target="_blank">Billie Eilish, Bad Guy</a>. I love the 60s vibe!!!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;">I hope this gives you some things to think about this week!! It certainly has kept me thinking. I really do thank those of you who reach out to me! It means so much. I heard from several of you this week.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , serif;"><br /></span></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-76568526599994034682020-01-27T16:09:00.000-07:002020-01-27T16:15:07.410-07:00The First Morning- Life After Loss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCC_9mN7trc/Xi9GP8oG2CI/AAAAAAAB5xI/c4srCCnDwFsMaGuMNH3h15kqqh49-quyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/314px-Kobe_Bryant_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCC_9mN7trc/Xi9GP8oG2CI/AAAAAAAB5xI/c4srCCnDwFsMaGuMNH3h15kqqh49-quyACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/314px-Kobe_Bryant_2015.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><br />Like so many of you, I am so shocked and saddened by the death of Kobe Bryant and all the others in that helicopter crash. How in the world could something like that have happened?<br /><br />I've been thinking so much about Vanessa Bryant and the other spouses, parents and loved ones who woke up this morning to a nightmare. I can't help but think back to my own personal nightmare and what it was like to wake up that first morning after loss.<br /><br />Many of you could tell your own story. You get it. An unexpected loss is like a bomb has exploded in your life. Any loss is difficult, but an unexpected loss carries its own weight. It's a heavy loss for many reasons.<br /><br />I tried to imagine what it was like for Vanessa to wake up this morning in her new reality. Her husband is gone. Her daughter is gone. Each loss as individual as a fingerprint because her relationship with each was so different. The man she turned to for everything, who would have helped her cope with the loss of their daughter is not here to comfort her. The loss of a child is an unfathomable loss that makes life seem so unfair!!!<br /><br />The whole trajectory of Vanessa's life changed yesterday. That is a hard reality to come to terms with.<br /><br />I "talk" to my daughter every day through Google Chat. These deaths were some of the first things we talked about this morning. The overall sadness of the situation was heavy on our minds. Our own experience with waking up that first morning was also on our minds.<br /><br />My beautiful daughter and I woke up together that first morning after her dad unexpectedly passed away. She refused to let me sleep alone until she had to go back to college to finish finals. We woke up in such a fog that I really don't remember much about that morning except I had some phone calls to make.<br /><br />Family members had been called the night before, but I had to call his work that first morning because they were expecting to see him. There is very little about that phone call that I remember.&nbsp; I caught his coworker still driving. What a terrible thing to find out while stuck in traffic.<br /><br />Friends started coming over immediately after finding out so the rest of the day was spent reading text, answering phone calls, and being loved on by people who stopped by. It's all still a blur. It's all still a nightmare.<br /><br />Any of you who have lost someone unexpectedly know- the shock carries you for a while. Decisions have to be made, but most of those are made on autopilot. I'm so fortunate that I had my adult children with me. I'm so lucky that my sister and my parents dropped everything in their lives to be by my side. I could not have done it all without them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imKhNQG-0w8/Xi9Hw0YAEfI/AAAAAAAB5xU/7gd87PB0Qa0kbtDdTzazNZrWFHIAjO-9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/29100209822_ec0fd1aeec_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="344" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imKhNQG-0w8/Xi9Hw0YAEfI/AAAAAAAB5xU/7gd87PB0Qa0kbtDdTzazNZrWFHIAjO-9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/29100209822_ec0fd1aeec_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Because of my life experience, I'm thinking of the spouses on this first day. There will be so many FIRSTS this year. Let's all remember to keep them all in our prayers these first days, weeks, and months.<br /><br />Vanessa will come to terms with her reality. She will be OK. I and many of you are living proof of that.&nbsp;</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-35940586569288522020-01-22T13:17:00.000-07:002020-01-22T13:17:11.723-07:00Peak of the Week 01-22-2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's my birthday!!! I don't take birthdays for granted or bemoan birthdays anymore. A birthday every year means that I'M ALIVE!! I'm here living this amazing life that God has given me. I'm so fortunate to be in good health!!! Yea for me!!!!<br /><br />I got an early birthday gift from my sister yesterday. She called like she does almost every morning. After I told her about my long weekend, she started to tell me how thankful she is that we are sisters. I didn't interrupt like I tend to do because I feel awkward getting a compliment etc. I let her talk. In the end, of course, I told her that I feel the same way about her. She gave me the greatest gift- the gift of WORDS. I told her how much it meant to me. Words have power!! Words are important. Who do you need to give some WORDS to today? You won't regret it!!<br /><br />There have been so many interesting articles and links come by way over the past week. Here are the things piquing my interest!!<br /><br />If you follow my blog on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nowchooselife30/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nowchooselife30/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, you know that I ran my first trail race in the Big Bend area of Texas last weekend. I hadn't run any kind of race in over 2 years. I really hadn't been running very much, but that changed when I told a friend that I would meet her in Big Bend and run. This article shows the power of running!!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/12/794911838/ready-for-your-first-marathon-training-can-cut-years-off-your-cardiovascular-age?fbclid=IwAR115P3gQ4_wsxZ1Lurs0dCJKKKMkyNmERxlFxwtgIzI9TvWR1yJ_LedT6M" target="_blank">Training Can Cut Years Off Your Cardiovascular Age</a>-&nbsp; This article is about a study done on people training for a marathon. I would think as long as you are out moving for an extended period of time, the results would at least be similar if not the same.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<b>The final word is to Put On Those Shoes and Get Outside!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/marfa-ranch-2810-west-texas-sky/?fbclid=IwAR1Bt4Yyppc-X_zA1LSHNodw7pmWnbf4aCkCSPRmUYF_gWvlEY1HkEdavuA" target="_blank">A Retreat Under The West Texas Sky</a>- I fell in love with my great state of Texas all over again this past weekend. The mountains of West Texas are breathtaking!! We only drove through Marfa, but I'm already planning a trip to go back. It was magical. This tells a little more about traveling in this part of Texas.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhbwW2qtKnk/XidpMRVRtrI/AAAAAAAB5us/9eD0YFOanvwDCK1ELzKt8UP2_xS1Lae2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhbwW2qtKnk/XidpMRVRtrI/AAAAAAAB5us/9eD0YFOanvwDCK1ELzKt8UP2_xS1Lae2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2491.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've always wanted to see this "work of art" outside of Marfa, Texas. Now I have.<br />I loved it.<br />It was so much fun to be there!!<br />Can you say the world's biggest ball of twine?&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20125752/six-mental-secrets-to-push-harder-during-grueling-workouts/?fbclid=IwAR0ud0appjkwfin5pfnTL74R8OOSzYYZ6DDS8QhMfKmwt8ls15FtqTU769c" target="_blank">Six Mental Secrets To Push Hard During Grueling Workouts</a>- I often think about how much my running life mimics my personal life. Everything about running and preparing for a run is similar to getting through challenges in life. These mental secrets are NOT just for workouts!! Do you need to push yourself in any area of your life? Read this article!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.oprahmag.com/life/a27238571/wine-train-napa-valley-vineyards/?fbclid=IwAR3XWpDDZhryB5SqJd_GNooMC8IaRXIjpgPD2uBOCHsj-VxPZC0J3lnj0FI" target="_blank">This Wine Train Takes You Through America's Top Vineyards</a>-&nbsp; A Bucket List train ride! What fun this trip would be for a Girl's Trip. Be sure to invite me if you plan one!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.designmom.com/four-months-in-france/" target="_blank">14 Things That Are Different About Life In France</a>- Gabby Blair from<a href="https://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank"> Design Mom</a> is living my dream. I would love to someday live a few months out of each year in France. It is the only European country that I've visited multiple times, and I love it!! This is the 2nd time for her family to pack up and move to France to live. She has wonderful perspectives on the French way of life. I highly recommend following her blog. Her stories are great because she shares the remodeling of an old house that they just purchased in the Normandy region of France.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are just a few things piquing my interest this week? What have you found interesting? I'd love to hear!!</div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-91894648230327716392020-01-15T13:43:00.002-07:002020-01-15T13:43:40.206-07:00Peak of the Week- Here's a List of Things Piquing My Interest 1-15-20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Please take a minute and sign up to receive my blog posts by email. If you are on a computer the window is at the right of the screen. If you are on your phone keep scrolling until you see "Follow By Email." After you put in your email address, you will receive an email from Feedburner. If you don't respond to that email, you won't be on my email list!! It means a lot!!! Thanks!!<br /><br />I hope things are beautiful out your window on this Peak of the Week!! It is a glorious day in the New Mexico mountains, but tomorrow will be a different story. SNOW is in the forecast. I can't wait!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some things piquing my interest on this Peak of the Week!!!</div><br /><a href="https://www.andersonandgrant.com/2020/01/free-printable-2020-calendar.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;2020 Calendar to print</a>- I find that I search online for a calendar to print out several times throughout any given year. This calendar is the type that I always look for- large squares and not much else!! I hope it is useful to you if you need one!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8pgwKeffdo/Xhu6RXkpitI/AAAAAAAB5so/bYAz-ON_NJEDwz45Fkl-dLC07HMZbc3oACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/black-white-calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8pgwKeffdo/Xhu6RXkpitI/AAAAAAAB5so/bYAz-ON_NJEDwz45Fkl-dLC07HMZbc3oACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/black-white-calendar.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the exact pages from the calendar. Beautiful!! I'm definitely following her blog now!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/biscuits/?fbclid=IwAR1Y9O9DPtoqgu3Aa9GRk6oz5IOsvfQvHiLGImKvtizt38gPIwFTzLbgVTY" target="_blank">Biscuit and Gravy Recipe from Texas Monthly Magazine</a>- I have made homemade biscuits twice since Christmas. I have to admit, they weren't very good. I am determined to find a recipe that works for me- especially at high altitude cooking. I think I may have found the perfect recipe with this one from Texas Monthly!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/meet-dr-weil/my-life-with-tea-part-two/?fbclid=IwAR06j-Gl20b_WQQEPSek1YqHgUd6E3beb0aEz93c3kIq8USqpSslsg78UiI" target="_blank">My Life With Tea</a>- by Dr. Andrew Weil I want to learn about tea. I want to find a hot tea that I like as well as I do coffee. This all may take some time, but this article is a great starting place!! My favorite quote from it:<br /><br />"<span style="background-color: white; color: #253238; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , serif; font-size: 16.96px;">Above all, make your tea drinking a happy affair, not another opportunity for stress and worry about “getting it right.” Tea is a gentle, forgiving drink, adaptable to Zen monasteries and vending machines alike. Experiment, explore, enjoy!"</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #253238; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , serif; font-size: 16.96px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #253238; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , serif; font-size: 16.96px;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/well/mind/clutter-stress-procrastination-psychology.html?auth=linked-google&amp;fbclid=IwAR0YdizWOd6tdIJRHtWnh7NAqU179BSTSf5wS2krnkaEAkvBoyh-T5no7Ds" target="_blank">The Unbearable Heaviness Of Clutter</a>- I'm trying so hard to get rid of the "junk" that I need to get rid of. I don't want my kids to be left with my mess someday!! It's hard though- every item seems to have sentimental value. I have a whole post I need to write on that alone!!! It's a new year, I need to set some decluttering goals!!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #253238; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , serif; font-size: 16.96px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #253238; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , serif; font-size: 16.96px;">What I'm Reading- <u>Ask Again, Yes</u>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #253238; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , serif; font-size: 16.96px;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8qO56xRZBU/Xhu4gQYczgI/AAAAAAAB5sU/ZncE2wR8NnM6NcGMUG5g6T51zyVO0Eq8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/61II0mcMJLL._SY346_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="229" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8qO56xRZBU/Xhu4gQYczgI/AAAAAAAB5sU/ZncE2wR8NnM6NcGMUG5g6T51zyVO0Eq8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/61II0mcMJLL._SY346_.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm loving this book. It can be purchased <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;keywords=ask%20again,%20yes&amp;index=aps&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=ec3c34ddab86755cc48fc76bdfa9301b" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>I'm still reading for my long-distance book club with a friend- The Screwtape Letters<br />One of the most thought-provoking books I've ever read!!! We are also watching lectures on Youtube about C.S Lewis and this book.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT1tX9C_0S0/Xhu5UdKAEcI/AAAAAAAB5sc/JSdu7v16nlAfCvZ2YGNxeBdGYLYwieOGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/41qTG29aF5L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT1tX9C_0S0/Xhu5UdKAEcI/AAAAAAAB5sc/JSdu7v16nlAfCvZ2YGNxeBdGYLYwieOGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/41qTG29aF5L.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can be purchased <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;keywords=the%20screwtape%20letters&amp;index=aps&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=c7b6119a5c462562ed5a43d59a235578" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>What I'm listening to</b>- <a href="https://www.hotzehwc.com/radio/" target="_blank">Dr Hotze Podcast</a>-&nbsp; Everything he says makes so much sense!!! January is my BODY month in my 2020 vision of the rest of my life. I need to write about my health issues this month!!1 Dr. Hotze has helped me form a plan!!<br /><br /><b>Area of my house I'm concentrating on</b>- The Utility Room- I have some ideas for what I want to do, but I'm having trouble finding exactly what I want in terms of storage!!<br /><br /><br /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-40305622096187373182020-01-13T12:02:00.000-07:002020-01-13T17:37:15.736-07:00Appliances - Christmas Gift Recap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br />Appliances seemed to be the theme for Christmas this year!! I guess Dr. T and I were really good because we got some really cool appliances from the kids!<br /><br />I have told my kids that we really don't need anything from them for Christmas or birthdays. I love what Jackie Kennedy Onasis requested from her grandkids instead of gifts- a poem. I've told my kids that if they give me words (in any form) that is all the gift I need!!<br /><br />Words did not happen this year. We received some great appliances to definitely add to the quality of our life!!&nbsp; I love all of the gifts that we got so much, I decided to share!!<br /><br />First, we bought this for ourselves. A robovac. I had been thinking about it, and as we were researching these vacuums to give as a gift to someone else, we found one that we felt would work great for us without breaking the bank!! The best feature of this one is that it senses the stairs and won't go over them!! We opted for one that was random that we could just sit down and use anywhere. Some of the really nice ones have laser navigation. We just didn't think we really needed all of that. Our house is split level, so I want to be able to set it downstairs and not worry about it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas to us!!! Why didn't we get one sooner?!!</div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B079QYYGF1&amp;asins=B079QYYGF1&amp;linkId=00ea3e9bedbe0eb5d8f74223f04a9653&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><br /></div><br />I think this ad is showing over $200.00. The price is closer to $150.00.<br />As an Amazon Affiliate, I make money off of qualifying purchases if you buy from any of my ads.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_IKygTlo60a0XNzMsD5VqBRMvFemtd2X74rfjgIwh0-opZguJpSKHMK15_MNjYcyo_7YNFjC8XanmnewU5A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div>As you can see from this video, there are sensors, so it avoids our stairs. This feature is the main reason that we got this one.<br /><br />I realize we are a bit late to the party as far as these vacuums go, but in case you are like us and don't know it, they head back to their dock for recharging as soon as their battery gets low.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9r_gp7TtjW7ZO3QVfYMSLPXxbV8gVK-8hZrCnJYn6p4Qqgw2KPehi0mgExfi7oitCjrkqrJQWOLJ7rtlMIw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div><br /><br />Using this vacuum has become our&nbsp; (almost) nightly routine. We get dinner eaten, get any chores done that need to be done for the night, and right before we head downstairs to watch TV, we turn on Hazel. She vacuums all of the upstairs areas that we want her to. We just shut the door to rooms we don't want her to go into.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, we named her. I wanted Mr. French (from Family Affair), but Dr. T won with Hazel!!</div><br /><br />We were given a great outdoor heater as one of our gifts!! It didn't take long to assemble. One of my favorite things to do is sit outside and especially eat al fresco!! This heater will undoubtedly help with our outdoor living!!<br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B007T8U9C0&amp;asins=B007T8U9C0&amp;linkId=b5d522bd66af1a473872371324662d78&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><br /><br />As an Amazon Affiliate, I may make money if you buy from one of the links I share.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGHERhBnifY/XhueUdC5IhI/AAAAAAAB5rY/EUvZJN-TaGkr0Wxx2nDbNthb4bfdYpMzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGHERhBnifY/XhueUdC5IhI/AAAAAAAB5rY/EUvZJN-TaGkr0Wxx2nDbNthb4bfdYpMzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2121.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though we live in the mountains of northern New Mexico, we can still sit outside sometimes in the winter. This is an excellent addition to our deck!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And, we were also given an Air Fryer/ Toaster Oven!! I feel like I've been to an Oprah great giveaways, "Everybody gets an Air Fryer!!!"<br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B07WNXWSV7&amp;asins=B07WNXWSV7&amp;linkId=40e7589e2fee72a1ecd9a602a9a87170&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><br /><br />I have wanted one of these!! I'm looking online for all of the great things I make with it. I've heard from friends who are watching carbs that they put the cauliflower tater tots in one of these, and cannot tell they aren't real tots. That alone sold me. My daughter sent me a video the other day on cooking bacon in one!!! Another win!!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFD1K5tsa9g/XhumxWKplHI/AAAAAAAB5r0/cFkXynrzhrQZnLpm9UNPlZ37jKTuuWaxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFD1K5tsa9g/XhumxWKplHI/AAAAAAAB5r0/cFkXynrzhrQZnLpm9UNPlZ37jKTuuWaxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one looks great with all our other stainless steel appliances. I love that it is also a regular toaster oven as well!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />And, one last thing that I got, and now I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to use/ wear it, is a new band for my Apple watch. Did you know that Amazon has a shop like Etsy? It's "handmade" on the search tab. I love my Apple watch, but the band is for workouts because my watch is what I like to use to track workouts and runs! That workout band does not look good when I go out to dinner or to something nice, so I wanted to find a band I could use. Enter this!!<br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B0812C7V4W&amp;asins=B0812C7V4W&amp;linkId=6325596142217da98614cd7ef8564393&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> This is repurposed from real Louis Vuitton material. You can search by any designer. I found Burberry (which I love) and Gucci!!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I picked out the Monogram LV pattern as my gift from Dr. T. He swears he never knows what to get me, so I usually pick what I want, and in this case, I order it!!! The traditional monogram design seems to be out at the moment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbZ9zDjOgiQ/XhunrJ3-LHI/AAAAAAAB5sA/0ZzeyriZHZYwJApoJ1U2nQg2i1Jy4h_MACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbZ9zDjOgiQ/XhunrJ3-LHI/AAAAAAAB5sA/0ZzeyriZHZYwJApoJ1U2nQg2i1Jy4h_MACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2129.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I love this watch band. My only issue is that now I'm not sure how I'm going to use it. I've been afraid to change out the band frequently because I certainly don't want to lose my watch. I'm worried the more that I change out the band, the greater the chance I'll have of losing the watch. What do most people do? Do I just workout in my LV band??? What a problem to have. If this is the worst problem of the week, I'm one lucky person!!!<br /><br />But I would love to hear how all of you handle this!!!<br /><br />There you have it... I highly recommend all of these items. We had such a great Christmas, and these gifts had nothing to do with it!!! But, they sure were nice to receive!!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWPzePK7Xlg/Xhuo8B8jJrI/AAAAAAAB5sI/zQDhOkabgCIeleMXiK2NWqztrDK9BvywwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWPzePK7Xlg/Xhuo8B8jJrI/AAAAAAAB5sI/zQDhOkabgCIeleMXiK2NWqztrDK9BvywwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1679.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We opened our gifts in our matching PJs!! It was so much fun to get comfy at night or get up in the morning and see everyone (well, almost everyone) wearing our family PJs!!! It warmed my heart!! I highly recommend doing it for fun.<br />I found ours at Macy's after much looking!! I didn't give over $25 a set!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-43856311589247856622020-01-08T15:04:00.000-07:002020-01-08T15:04:12.778-07:00Peak of the Week - 1-8-2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Peak of the Week!! Here are some things piquing my interest this week!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm also sharing some pictures from my life lately!! They are very random, but so is my life!! :)&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><br /><a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181210-gardening-could-be-the-hobby-that-helps-you-live-to-100?ocid=fbert&amp;referer=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com&amp;fbclid=IwAR2_hUswJp-NznkojOvVcwOEuo9DxEXbQlBhbi3iGycBblwhNmN6CI_7PvM" target="_blank">Gardening Could Be The Hobby That Helps You Live To Be 100!</a>&nbsp;- I have always enjoyed gardening or working in the yard. After my first husband died, my mom encouraged me to get more help. Either get a full-time housekeeper or get someone to do your yard work. She told me to pick the one that brought me the most joy and hire out the rest. I hired the housekeeper. I LOVE to mow the yard!! We are in the process of building a raised bed garden here in New Mexico. I hope I can share pictures of it in the spring. I also hope that it helps us both live to be 100!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9-BUMZnKV4/XhZPGz8HFFI/AAAAAAAB5qY/QkZZKpLq7cASoNA-5gVO39dHWyIPUHbCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1905.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9-BUMZnKV4/XhZPGz8HFFI/AAAAAAAB5qY/QkZZKpLq7cASoNA-5gVO39dHWyIPUHbCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1905.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran into this guy on my run/walk yesterday! He was beautiful!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://probatestars.com/" target="_blank">Estate Information</a>- No one wants to think about the death of someone they love. Believe me, I know, I've lived it!! But, everyone in the family needs to know final wishes. I certainly wish my late husband and I would have talked about it more than we did. This is a great resource for estate planning, probating a will, and trusts.<br /><br /><a href="https://maybienvh.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/between-65-and-death/?fbclid=IwAR3NXbHSWqTX30F2RnkTVoR-TPyU3IgIMxmdLGFb9Xw1RgFH4vup9PEUuCA" target="_blank">Between 65 and Death</a>&nbsp;- I'm about 10 years away from 65, but this list of how to live during these years really spoke to me. What great advice!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPbOKOZkXQ4/XhZP34zUdKI/AAAAAAAB5qg/oxWZXVw0cewlioz-6J3C7Bcti4UmFbcqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPbOKOZkXQ4/XhZP34zUdKI/AAAAAAAB5qg/oxWZXVw0cewlioz-6J3C7Bcti4UmFbcqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1908.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this quote from Beth Moore's new book. I don't in any form consider myself an "influencer" as we see now on Instagram!! I just hope and pray the some of what I put out in the world resonates with other women who are in the same stage of life as me!! We all have influence... I sure do want mine to be positive!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/03/02/john-steinbeck-working-days/?fbclid=IwAR1awulR_cz5W6UFKe08iYt8MAsjNkvJVMIiVo8gXztvsaqxLfykGPMIIKk" target="_blank">How Steinbeck used the diary as a tool of discipline, a hedge against self-doubt, and a pacemaker for the heart of creative work</a>- Wow!! Steinbeck doubted himself? This article is fascinating to me!! My favorite quote from the article<br />"<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia;">It stands, above all, as a supreme testament to the fact that the sole substance of genius is&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/12/16/writers-wakeup-times-literary-productivity-visualization/" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(225, 155, 155); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;">the daily act of showing up</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia;">."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Show Up- keeps coming at me!!! That is why it's my 2020 word!!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccIsXbvQq0c/XhZQqHDmDWI/AAAAAAAB5qs/IFQQV6Lq8-csFsVk6i0Ccn3ajXPfeuM5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2247.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccIsXbvQq0c/XhZQqHDmDWI/AAAAAAAB5qs/IFQQV6Lq8-csFsVk6i0Ccn3ajXPfeuM5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2247.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my reality at my house in Texas right now. Sadly, the color of shingles that I agreed on with my contractor is a lot lighter than either of us thought they would be. I was so sick at first when I found out. The old me would have been upset to no end. I finally told myself that I cannot control this!! I can only control my response to it. I wasn't going to be rude to my contractor. I wasn't going to let it ruin my life... Life goes on. I will learn to live with this new color!!!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/every-book-of-the-bible-in-one-word/" target="_blank">Every book of the Bible in one word</a>- I loved looking at this. It takes the major theme from each book of the Bible and condenses it into one word!! It's worth printing out and hanging on to it!! I have this in my bible now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you are having a great week!! How are you choosing life? I'd love to hear!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you enjoy what you read here, please share it on social media. Share tabs are underneath this post!!</span></div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-39436187634558637282020-01-06T15:42:00.000-07:002020-01-06T15:42:45.935-07:00My Word for 2020 and My 2020 Vision<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Happy New Year!! We were still in Vacay mode until this morning. My new year/ new you started today. I got up at 6 to get my bible study done!! Not having a specific time for study and reflection was one of my worst failings last year. I knew I had to do something about it this year. I like to get up semi-early in the morning. Most mornings I was up between 6:30 and 7 anyway. Getting up at 6 is really not any big deal!! So today was the 1st of what I hope is 6:00 a.m. bible study and quiet time!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFBVFBUmlKM/XhO14gugt7I/AAAAAAAB5bE/8L9B88giNdI76vwvagk6PLJ9aWyO8GjnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/happy-new-year-4715346_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFBVFBUmlKM/XhO14gugt7I/AAAAAAAB5bE/8L9B88giNdI76vwvagk6PLJ9aWyO8GjnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/happy-new-year-4715346_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span id="goog_1667668657"></span><span id="goog_1667668658"></span><br /><br />I started picking a word or phrase to be my "word of the year" at least 10 years ago. I did it with a friend with whom I worked. We would let each other know our word or phrase and keep each other updated on how it was affecting our lives-- we usually discussed this over a great cup of coffee!!<br /><br />All of those years, my phrase for each year never changed. Especially after my first husband died, I had to have this phrase in my life "still waters." I got the idea from one of Beth Moore's associates at Living Proof Ministries. I read a blog post that one of the young women who works for her wrote. She wrote about being out on a ranch in Texas and looking out over a tank where the water was very still. She could see the reflection of everything around that tank. She likened that to our lives. If I wanted my life to reflect Jesus, my "waters" have to be still. My life had to be still enough for Him to shine through!! That's what I wanted and needed in my life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rWUmcPzeik/XhO2UqumJ7I/AAAAAAAB5bM/aF5I7zapapQQAtpl0_E46su_iLyPKnQ5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/water-4745585_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rWUmcPzeik/XhO2UqumJ7I/AAAAAAAB5bM/aF5I7zapapQQAtpl0_E46su_iLyPKnQ5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/water-4745585_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />For the first time in all of these years, I've picked a different word. Wow!! I'm actually growing in my journey! This word came to me back in August when I went to a creativity conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. One of the speakers was talking about writing, and she said you have to always remember that if you want to write, and possibly publish something that you've written, you have to SHOW UP and write. You have to SHOW UP to your ideas. You have to SHOW UP at your computer. That concept really stayed with me.<br /><br />Later, the word/phrase SHOW UP was used by my pastor and my pastor's wife the day I was interviewed about grief for my church- neither of them knowing that I was going to use that phrase in an interview I was doing on a Sunday morning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Show Up!! What a concept!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--nGXVS17_04/XhO2unTSTYI/AAAAAAAB5bU/G-hUC7wjOlMsZwuuns6D5QX9rHo0BJx5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/vision-2372177_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--nGXVS17_04/XhO2unTSTYI/AAAAAAAB5bU/G-hUC7wjOlMsZwuuns6D5QX9rHo0BJx5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/vision-2372177_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's your 2020 Vision?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I am going to use 2020 as a catalyst to start some positive behaviors for the rest of my life. What am I waiting for? My 2nd half is going to be full of good things because I'm going to work for those things!!! Each month I plan on concentrating on one behavior/ habit/ goal that is part of my 2020 Vision for the rest of my life.<br /><br />I have 12 things, but if you have something that is really on your mind that you think would be good, I can make my topic more general and possibly add it to my list. January is to focus on my body- health, skin, exercise, diet, etc. These are not in any specific order, but I thought since I have some pounds to drop my body is a good place to start!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2WBhFNwJQM/XhO3Sl9UBsI/AAAAAAAB5bg/9p-II_x7Dogq6xfkjkUC1tsd-8KLwXDHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/running-573762_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2WBhFNwJQM/XhO3Sl9UBsI/AAAAAAAB5bg/9p-II_x7Dogq6xfkjkUC1tsd-8KLwXDHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/running-573762_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />I have heard from several of you lately, and I love it!!! My email is nowchooselife30@gmail.com if you ever want to drop me a line!!! It makes my day to hear from you!!!<br /><br />So, how about you? How are you planning on showing up in your life? I'd love to hear!!<br /><br />photos from:&nbsp;<a href="https://pixabay.com/">https://pixabay.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-72348231961437128882019-12-27T08:00:00.000-07:002019-12-27T08:00:00.611-07:00New Years Eve outfits- black on black on black<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />My wardrobe consists mostly of black!! Just one reason I believe that I should live in New York City someday!!<br /><br />We recently attended a Christmas Dinner Party, and I didn't want to buy a whole new outfit so I went looking for something fun and simple. I found these great jeans from <a href="https://www.loft.com/shimmer-slim-pocket-skinny-jeans-in-black/513024?skuId=28705635&amp;defaultColor=2222&amp;catid=catl000015&amp;selectedColor=2222" target="_blank">The Loft</a>. I love the shimmer on them. It's fun, but it isn't too over the top, and I'll definitely be able to wear them again. Especially for NYE!!<br /><br />In fact, this entire outfit would be perfect for NYE!! I prefer to stay home on that night, but if I were a big partier, you better believe I'd be ringing in the new year in these cute pants.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tm-owLrp6IY/XgF_JVqt_1I/AAAAAAAB5Y4/6lR7iAF0zkQ6HOTUKZTWXraZ-rFp9Tj9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tm-owLrp6IY/XgF_JVqt_1I/AAAAAAAB5Y4/6lR7iAF0zkQ6HOTUKZTWXraZ-rFp9Tj9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1435.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a bit of gold shimmer to these jeans!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLSVCz49GaY/XgF_G2xiHpI/AAAAAAAB5Y0/LPQBGCSvsLEU1K2AyyOwk65M96O-nNupACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLSVCz49GaY/XgF_G2xiHpI/AAAAAAAB5Y0/LPQBGCSvsLEU1K2AyyOwk65M96O-nNupACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1438.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My necklace is from <a href="https://bittersweetdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Bittersweet</a> in Santa Fe. If you are ever in Santa Fe, it's a must<br />stop while shopping on Canyon Road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUCPkv2OAcE/XgF_Kj48YBI/AAAAAAAB5Y8/Tm0hZXQEELkxyeozleaSeVxbZGGBuSOtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUCPkv2OAcE/XgF_Kj48YBI/AAAAAAAB5Y8/Tm0hZXQEELkxyeozleaSeVxbZGGBuSOtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1449.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that the shimmer is gold. It was fun to pair my favorite <a href="https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/products/felicie-pochette-monogram-010578" target="_blank">Loius Vuitton</a> that has<br />gold hardware with them!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Here are some other black on black on black ideas from Amazon. With 2 day shipping, you'll have them by NYE.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09CQ4Q1GXXE/XgGC5-uPHgI/AAAAAAAB5ZM/5vvM35Vii6EXuSqx3sSX9tfZX_OOQP7ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/519cBTDvngL._AC_UL320_SR216%252C320_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="216" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09CQ4Q1GXXE/XgGC5-uPHgI/AAAAAAAB5ZM/5vvM35Vii6EXuSqx3sSX9tfZX_OOQP7ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/519cBTDvngL._AC_UL320_SR216%252C320_.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this jumpsuit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B07BMPW4L3&amp;asins=B07BMPW4L3&amp;linkId=c81319dd63626b77c89860452429bb28&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBYTQd5gWhU/XgGDCssrrlI/AAAAAAAB5ZQ/e3BPA-zTmu0LXJExv5FqBhzJLkyowEZdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/51dCxmE9CAL._AC_UL480_FMwebp_QL65_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="293" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBYTQd5gWhU/XgGDCssrrlI/AAAAAAAB5ZQ/e3BPA-zTmu0LXJExv5FqBhzJLkyowEZdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/51dCxmE9CAL._AC_UL480_FMwebp_QL65_.jpeg" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cold shoulder top is always fun for a party.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B078JF7L33&amp;asins=B078JF7L33&amp;linkId=fb3c433ab684921f7e58a80b81ec56ff&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhnrfVnJsB4/XgGDNDTxp5I/AAAAAAAB5ZY/4eo4SQmtb4oDOxQwockOIjZyOm6ihw5zACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/71Tr2JetqfL._AC_UL480_FMwebp_QL65_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="281" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhnrfVnJsB4/XgGDNDTxp5I/AAAAAAAB5ZY/4eo4SQmtb4oDOxQwockOIjZyOm6ihw5zACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/71Tr2JetqfL._AC_UL480_FMwebp_QL65_.jpeg" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal print continues to be popular. I love this top!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B07KM1M5CD&amp;asins=B07KM1M5CD&amp;linkId=6646d9c0186ea53789bceb590606a3ae&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMJHT-qtGnI/XgGDXIs5z7I/AAAAAAAB5Zc/-h6zr_O8PC0WLzGZ7SRGaG4zS0UAUtWyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/51WX6GUn9sL._AC_UL480_FMwebp_QL65_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="168" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMJHT-qtGnI/XgGDXIs5z7I/AAAAAAAB5Zc/-h6zr_O8PC0WLzGZ7SRGaG4zS0UAUtWyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/51WX6GUn9sL._AC_UL480_FMwebp_QL65_.jpeg" width="140" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cute jumpsuit!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /> <script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B07RX3VNVZ&amp;asins=B07RX3VNVZ&amp;linkId=83091f2310196e701df6c411e094d2f7&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-19303259397071132612019-12-15T13:50:00.000-07:002019-12-15T13:50:48.604-07:00Life After Loss- A Glimpse- Family Calendars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I just finished putting together the 2020 Family Calendar. This calendar is probably the most significant family tradition that we have.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTachBoU50s/XfV9IxCQlLI/AAAAAAAB5WQ/_Fg3qJ0zbkwA3YNZ7k91we61tpvvbU7zACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/calendar-1847346_1280.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1218" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTachBoU50s/XfV9IxCQlLI/AAAAAAAB5WQ/_Fg3qJ0zbkwA3YNZ7k91we61tpvvbU7zACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/calendar-1847346_1280.png" width="190" /></a></div><br /><br />It all started when the kids were little. R and I had a friend whose niece always made a handmade calendar for him. I decided to do the same for my parents. I had to make sure that I got double prints when I had pictures developed!!! Each year before Christmas, my sister sent me six of her favorite photos from the previous year. I used the computer to print out the next year's calendar and glued each month with a picture on top of a piece of construction paper. It was held together with yarn through holes at the top. My parents loved it.<br /><br /><br />Over time the tradition grew. It soon became the reality that I had to start the calendar weeks in advance. I had to give Walmart at least 21 days to get each calendar made. Since I could order it through Walmart, I also started getting one for my sister and me. Life got crazy at times, and my sister took over the making of the calendar for many years. We couldn't bear to miss a year!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdokG6lk5dw/XfV-K82vLyI/AAAAAAAB5W0/3a9sCkUO_twee4m-ypfdssBTb8ID0uRHQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1037" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdokG6lk5dw/XfV-K82vLyI/AAAAAAAB5W0/3a9sCkUO_twee4m-ypfdssBTb8ID0uRHQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1403.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents even made the calendar some years!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Soon my kids and my nephews became old enough that they all wanted a calendar of their own. It became a joke in the family as to which pictures were "calendar worthy." This calendar is so important to my kids and nephews that my daughter even took up the making of the calendar a few years ago when life was just too stressful for my sister or me to get it done!! Thanks, Molls!!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v0zdA7HHs8/XfV98b_vLvI/AAAAAAAB5Wc/Wqqw7E2ej-wiGC4LpqJP-wcxmp9XN1P9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v0zdA7HHs8/XfV98b_vLvI/AAAAAAAB5Wc/Wqqw7E2ej-wiGC4LpqJP-wcxmp9XN1P9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />I have saved every single calendar that I've ever gotten. When I helped my parents clean out their antique store a couple of years ago, I found that they, too, have saved every calendar. I regret not taking some pictures of those construction paper ones!!<br /><br />That all leads me to this. As I got all my calendars out of the box to put up on a top shelf of my new bookcases in our office a couple of months ago, the one that fell to the side was 2012. 2012 was the year that changed everything for us. It was the year that marks the before and after for our family. It was the year that my husband- the father of my children- passed away.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHuIyOPQlKk/XfV9wKsaNWI/AAAAAAAB5Wk/7dYZHyKg2Yc99izgxHhNHwerA1K4zK0LQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1402.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1031" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHuIyOPQlKk/XfV9wKsaNWI/AAAAAAAB5Wk/7dYZHyKg2Yc99izgxHhNHwerA1K4zK0LQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1402.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the kids got older, those square filled up fast!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I sat down immediately to look through that 2012 calendar. My heart sank as I saw his handwriting on so many of those squares. All of the plans we had for that year laid out before me on those pages... medical tests his dad was having done, the kids' dates for finals at college, our anniversary trip to San Antonio, our daughter leaving for her study abroad in Spain, the date we were going to meet her in Europe---- so many plans that we both had.<br /><br />But all of those plans didn't matter. April 29th came. It didn't care that we had grand plans. It didn't care that we had so much living still to do together. It came, and it took. It took him from our lives. It took him from his plans. It took a future that I thought was solid and certain.<br /><br />Life after loss teaches us that our plans don't matter.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xzsLABmVT8/XfV-Q8lb0mI/AAAAAAAB5Ww/-6PEM9_ToDg5nWNg-MAfkblSz59v_yj1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1148" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xzsLABmVT8/XfV-Q8lb0mI/AAAAAAAB5Ww/-6PEM9_ToDg5nWNg-MAfkblSz59v_yj1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1404.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's wonderful now that we can add multiple pictures to a page.</td></tr></tbody></table>As you look at 2020, what are your plans? It's a new, fresh year. It's a new, fresh decade. What are you going to do with it? From my perspective, I will tell you that if you have anything that needs to be said to someone, you better get it said in January. If you have someone that you need to forgive, you better forgive them in January. If you need to tell someone that you love them, you better tell them in January. If you need to start going to church, you better start doing it in January. If you need to start reading your bible, you need to start reading it in January. You might just need the words from that bible in February.<br /><br />If you need to finalize a plan of your faith; finalize what you believe to be true about God; finalize in your mind what Jesus Christ means in your life- you better get it marked down on one of those squares in January.&nbsp;<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v0zdA7HHs8/XfV98b_vLvI/AAAAAAAB5Ws/r6kqTLQcfkQnnoMTNdap2mNPeDiGJQ1WACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v0zdA7HHs8/XfV98b_vLvI/AAAAAAAB5Ws/r6kqTLQcfkQnnoMTNdap2mNPeDiGJQ1WACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1400.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what I'm ever going to do with all of these old calendars, but I just can't get rid of them!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />You do not know what this next year is going to bring. What are you waiting for?&nbsp;</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't forget those share buttons at the bottom of the screen!! Thanks for all of the support!</span></div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-42158892916394668972019-12-11T09:10:00.000-07:002019-12-11T09:49:48.917-07:00What I Read- My recommendations for some fun Christmas Break Reads 2019!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJJTZDEZD-A/XfEeIAdHE7I/AAAAAAAB5VA/nhT-g2uSsnoJWzhVaBYFaEI_kw1-E4NLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJJTZDEZD-A/XfEeIAdHE7I/AAAAAAAB5VA/nhT-g2uSsnoJWzhVaBYFaEI_kw1-E4NLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Presentation1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />I've been wanting to write some book reviews but time has gotten away from me. I decided to do a-several books in one post review so here it is...<br /><br />I read so many books these days that I forget what I've read. I really need to start a journal of my books. For now, all I do is take a screenshot of the book cover on my Kindle. If there is anything in the book I want to remember, I also take a screenshot of that page. So far, it's worked really well.<br /><br />I love to do some lazy reading over the holidays. That's exactly what all of these books are meant to be... lazy reading. I'm only reviewing and suggesting the books I've read this past year that are fun, easy reads!! I'll hopefully get to some others in other posts!!<br /><br />These books are in no special order except by how I remembered what I've read!!<br /><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=0525574689&amp;asins=0525574689&amp;linkId=eb2b990bd29a33ad3d0276b912bf472c&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b> <b><a href="https://amzn.to/36mVUIL" target="_blank">One Day In December- by Josie Silver</a></b><br />This book was on Reese Witherspoon's book list. If you want some great suggestions, go to her list. I've loved everything she has recommended.<br /><u>One Day In December</u> begins on a city bus in London. Do you believe in love at first sight? If so, this is a great book for you. It's full of twists and turns. The only downside is that I had a hard time with some of the dialogue. It just was not believable for me, but I put that aside and really enjoyed it!!<br /><br /><br />&nbsp; <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=0062358200&amp;asins=0062358200&amp;linkId=f0bbf749e08bdb0ced33eee850499f65&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br /><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2LHlss6" target="_blank">The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin</a></b><br />This book is not a carefree read, but you will fall in love with the characters. We meet a family where the dad has passed away, and the mom is having a hard time dealing with the families' reality. The kids pretty much raise themselves. We soon find these kids have grown up and face another family tragedy.<br /><br /><b><br /></b> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1250301858&amp;asins=1250301858&amp;linkId=a78007d0eb700c69ecb203ddd3776b75&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br /><b><a href="https://amzn.to/38rcxVG" target="_blank">You've Been Volunteered by Laurie Gelman</a></b><br />I was late to the party with this book because this is actually a sequel to a book I've never read. It didn't' matter that I didn't read <u>Class Mom</u> because the characters explained themselves. Anyone who has ever been the class mom or helped the class mom will laugh out loud as you read!! It's fun. It's easy. It's a must-read!!<br />If you watch Live with Kelly and Ryan, you will recognize this author's last name. Her husband is the executive producer of the show!!<br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp; <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=031637525X&amp;asins=031637525X&amp;linkId=11d8b87426eb430d2cd02ed07d51eb11&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br /><b><a href="https://amzn.to/38rblBH" target="_blank">The Perfect Couple by Erin Hilderbrand</a></b><br />I checked this out from my local library on my Overdrive app during one of my 2a.m. nonsleeping sessions!! That seems to be when I do most of my reading!! I instantly fell in love with it. A summer wedding, a beautiful beach house, a loving family, and a murder get this book off to a great start!!<br /><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=0062877577&amp;asins=0062877577&amp;linkId=6b245936558ff55df481154ab1dfe904&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <b><a href="https://amzn.to/38oHUjC" target="_blank">Mostly Sunny by Janice Dean</a></b><br />Why did I read this book? I do not care for Janice Dean, but I've heard from women who have worked at Fox News that she is a great person. If you've followed me very long, you know my favorite genre is biography. There are very few biographies that I won't read!! This was very interesting. I'm still amazed at how people get their start and become famous!! She has great stories about famous people that she's met over the years. Of course, you are prepared to not like Imus who she worked for during her first job in NYC. She has a great story about meeting Steven Tyler, which I loved. I was not prepared for her story about Dr. Phill. I'll never look at him the same way. Have I piqued your interest?<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B0782YRL2G&amp;asins=B0782YRL2G&amp;linkId=65afa886a04a2d776c4adb00afcdb5a5&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br /><b><a href="https://amzn.to/35aAm1Y" target="_blank">The Proposal- by Jasmine Guillory</a></b><br />Another cute, fun easy read. There was a twist for me, but I'm not sure if it's meant to be there or if I just wasn't paying attention!! I guess the big lesson from this is to not ever ask someone to marry you on the jumbotron at a professional sports event!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B01EF02ZUS&amp;asins=B01EF02ZUS&amp;linkId=b38dfb4ab61e7b29f68d65fe30b53607&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><b><a href="https://amzn.to/347BYbp" target="_blank">The Marriage Lie- by&nbsp; Kimberly Belle</a></b><br />I used to like to read murder mysteries, but I just can't do it anymore. This is the closest to a murder/ mystery book as I went this past year. It was well written and had me always wanting to keep reading to find out the truth in this woman's marriage!!!<br /><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B07DCD74LP&amp;asins=B07DCD74LP&amp;linkId=4da850e78f379e13dd17fc43d3c546c9&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><b><br /></b><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2qBA4lA" target="_blank">Searching For Sylvie Lee- by Jean Kwok</a></b><br />Another mystery for this gal who doesn't read many mysteries. I enjoyed this. It took me on an adventure back to The Netherlands. It's sad, but it's a great story.<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B0789929XZ&amp;asins=B0789929XZ&amp;linkId=51add315bf0f6d6c5756b63b44b8e3cc&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><b><a href="https://amzn.to/38oUMpX" target="_blank">Good Riddance- by Elinor Lipman</a></b><br />I had to keep reading to see where this was going. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. After her mother's death, Daphne discovers that her mother's yearbook, which she placed in the recycle bin of her apartment complex, has been taken. The neighbor who has it becomes a thorn in her side. The hard part was watching her get involved in her father's love life- that's just not going to happen!!!<br /><br />As always, if you like what I've done here, please share my post on social media!! The links are at the bottom of the post after the words- share it:.&nbsp; Thanks so much!!<br /><br />As I was putting this together, I got two emails with book lists for the holidays that I wanted to share.<br /><br /><a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reader-recommendations-for-festive-holiday-fiction/" target="_blank">86 Reader Recommendations...</a>- If you don't follow The Modern Mrs. Darcy, you have to start today. She lists books her readers are recommending in this post!!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/About-Bill-Gates/Holiday-Books-2019?WT.mc_id=12_10_2019_08_EOYBooks2019_BG-EM_&amp;WT.tsrc=BGEM" target="_blank">Bill Gates' book list</a>- I look forward to seeing an email from Bill Gates!! It means I get to see what a highly intelligent and world-changing man is reading. It's always a great list!!</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-83915851680838799602019-12-09T12:37:00.002-07:002019-12-09T13:01:22.499-07:00Christmas Home Tours 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />I love looking at Christmas decorations inside and outside any home. When my kids were little, we would leave church after our Wednesday night meeting and, they knew that we would take the long way home during Christmas time. I just couldn't resist seeing all the lights.<br /><br />I'm still that way. It's just one of my favorite things about the holidays-- beautiful decorations and lights. I always loved going to a Christmas pilgrimage of homes when women agreed to open their homes and beautiful decorations to the public.<br /><br />These days, we can visit any home that is willing via the internet. I'm sharing two links below full of beautiful Christmas decorated homes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqcLptJPKr0/Xe1pFGQziHI/AAAAAAAB5SI/AQhZ5YLgGggOJYZmCorPIFI60KjqbAJFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Monday-Collage-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqcLptJPKr0/Xe1pFGQziHI/AAAAAAAB5SI/AQhZ5YLgGggOJYZmCorPIFI60KjqbAJFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Monday-Collage-2.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>Every day this week you can click on <a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a> blog and find several new houses to see.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrTlNc_9XtM/Xe1sqtE2pxI/AAAAAAAB5SY/-Opcq_-oYSYYqj6KaH8pvt6ZWgMEEEY-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1094" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrTlNc_9XtM/Xe1sqtE2pxI/AAAAAAAB5SY/-Opcq_-oYSYYqj6KaH8pvt6ZWgMEEEY-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1291.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>I love following Thistlewood Farms. You can find her home tour <a href="https://thistlewoodfarms.com/a-little-farmhouse-christmas-tour/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I don't have a professional photographer, but I'm sharing a few things from our home.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqKC6RG-IZU/Xe1tbl0MFLI/AAAAAAAB5Sg/EeJPSveU7JsNfSlsmaikNNMqTW3NKz4KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1180.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqKC6RG-IZU/Xe1tbl0MFLI/AAAAAAAB5Sg/EeJPSveU7JsNfSlsmaikNNMqTW3NKz4KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1180.jpeg" title="Christmas home decor" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully, next year the area around the fireplace will have built-in shelves.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHaNsyYS9es/Xe1tfKoXsxI/AAAAAAAB5Sk/1LIw9XUnXlMp4K7jGXhWIbWgT4gfGhEaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1181.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHaNsyYS9es/Xe1tfKoXsxI/AAAAAAAB5Sk/1LIw9XUnXlMp4K7jGXhWIbWgT4gfGhEaACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1181.jpeg" title="Christmas Tree" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved using this old sled instead of a skirt. This is the first year since my first husband passed away that I've put up a big tree. It has been fun, and every ornament on it has special meaning. We hope to add to the ornaments as we travel and experience more together.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KysMw1O-Bc0/Xe1tjNESSfI/AAAAAAAB5Ss/PJOXGad-Qcgu0xiDBks8UpvVwVmnjNcCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1204.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KysMw1O-Bc0/Xe1tjNESSfI/AAAAAAAB5Ss/PJOXGad-Qcgu0xiDBks8UpvVwVmnjNcCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1204.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a nativity scene from Dr. T's family. Most of mine are still in Texas. I always enjoyed putting one in almost every room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_SdZU8_4yU/Xe1tpebUiaI/AAAAAAAB5Sw/23K4fI3wJfwFh0UwV3SdTuwekWkkSqkiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1207.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_SdZU8_4yU/Xe1tpebUiaI/AAAAAAAB5Sw/23K4fI3wJfwFh0UwV3SdTuwekWkkSqkiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1207.jpeg" title="Christmas decor" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite little chairs with a vintage pillow.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEpZKNEu53I/Xe1tpoIjSII/AAAAAAAB5S0/tBK9hACL8SMGNmf2LUsgc1cNdjp7MtoKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1209.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEpZKNEu53I/Xe1tpoIjSII/AAAAAAAB5S0/tBK9hACL8SMGNmf2LUsgc1cNdjp7MtoKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1209.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I love the idea of a small scene on a cake stand that so many are doing.&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHM7x2bxOLI/Xe1txUl24oI/AAAAAAAB5TE/q4kkAR6IFlc7ePx7wi8xpjOWzXO8obOjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1221.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHM7x2bxOLI/Xe1txUl24oI/AAAAAAAB5TE/q4kkAR6IFlc7ePx7wi8xpjOWzXO8obOjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1221.jpeg" title="Santa mugs" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've collected Santa mugs for several years. Some are very old.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWWyiI6hzQ8/Xe6iZepfL0I/AAAAAAAB5UI/ZfkfRfs26k02Pjoe8QDWoPhgH9eK-udXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWWyiI6hzQ8/Xe6iZepfL0I/AAAAAAAB5UI/ZfkfRfs26k02Pjoe8QDWoPhgH9eK-udXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1293.jpg" title="Christmas dining room" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dining room is ready!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JMdckBQ5Zc/Xe1t1ZCYGGI/AAAAAAAB5TI/OE-3hATW5G4lFQzYaTGxpM2oMMJW5gyyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1222.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JMdckBQ5Zc/Xe1t1ZCYGGI/AAAAAAAB5TI/OE-3hATW5G4lFQzYaTGxpM2oMMJW5gyyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1222.jpeg" title="pickle ornament" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging the pickle on the tree reminds me of Randy!! I always hang a redbird nearby now.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LotuQUJRs_4/Xe1t3__nxMI/AAAAAAAB5TM/SR5zQlOlDyI_nAjx0OHvfujCeFAYSrACwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1223.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LotuQUJRs_4/Xe1t3__nxMI/AAAAAAAB5TM/SR5zQlOlDyI_nAjx0OHvfujCeFAYSrACwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1223.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our special traveling partners are very generous!! I loved getting this box of goodies!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWmfnilhj2Q/Xe1uMpKKfEI/AAAAAAAB5Tg/xVOJfcyl7w0dxhIo30jIckOJfuYMDFq0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1289.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWmfnilhj2Q/Xe1uMpKKfEI/AAAAAAAB5Tg/xVOJfcyl7w0dxhIo30jIckOJfuYMDFq0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1289.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got these ornaments from my mother and put them on the small tree in the game room. They just fit over the lights on the tree.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhg1f-uF0OA/Xe1uNEKUjLI/AAAAAAAB5Tk/UxrE54EziYEzLNr7xZL8ecuTz-B1rw0PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhg1f-uF0OA/Xe1uNEKUjLI/AAAAAAAB5Tk/UxrE54EziYEzLNr7xZL8ecuTz-B1rw0PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1290.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We watch TV here most evenings so I wanted a small tree in this space!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'd love to see some pictures of how you decorate!! You can share in the comments!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember- you can click on any picture to share on Pinterest. You can also use the share buttons at the bottom of any post to share.</div></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-63749634034079183992019-11-27T07:09:00.000-07:002019-11-27T07:09:08.346-07:00Being Thankful!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is a video at the bottom of this post. If you receive my posts by email or other RSS feed, you may not be able to see it. Please click <a href="https://www.nowchooselife.net/2019/11/being-thankful.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to go out to the post.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mVJVECzFXY/XdhE1vC85aI/AAAAAAAB5M4/61Tj21gbsVQi07UH8nY6xPIrpkumKfJhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Attachment-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mVJVECzFXY/XdhE1vC85aI/AAAAAAAB5M4/61Tj21gbsVQi07UH8nY6xPIrpkumKfJhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Attachment-1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Have you taken the time to stop during this busy season to think about all that you have to be thankful for? It's easy for me to get caught up in the planning, shopping, and traveling leading up to Thanksgiving and not really give it a thought until the time before the meal when we go around and say what we are thankful for. Then, it's a scramble to think of something profound to say!!<br /><br />I remember one year before Randy died, I had actually thought about it because there was a family of squirrels that lived in a knothole of an oak tree that I drove under every day down our road. Many times several of them would be out on the limb or sticking their heads out that knothole as if they were sending me off on my day. I came to look forward to their sweet goodbyes as I headed off to the school where I worked as a librarian. I shared that sweet family of squirrels as one thing I was thankful for that year because I truly was.<br /><br />One year when my son was a young teenager, we had an issue with his orthodontist's office. It was a family operation, and the orthodontist's wife was the office manager. I had to do what was right for my son in this situation, and at what was to be our last visit, I went to her in tears to explain my decision. The week before Thanksgiving that year, I got a card from her. She said that every year, she sends out three cards to people she is thankful to know. I was one of her people because of how I handled this very difficult situation. Wow!! This practice is something I've wanted to add as a Thanksgiving tradition, but I think I've only done it once!!<br /><br />My biggest experience with gratitude came in the months after Randy passed away. I'm not sure where it came from, but I knew that I had to be OK with my life. I knew that one way to do that was to be thankful for the things that I did have, not the huge things that I didn't have in my life anymore because of his death. As the new school year started in the fall of 2012, I felt overwhelming gratitude for my life every time I walked through the front doors of my school. Anyone who works in education will tell you that there are some extremely sad stories in kids' lives every single year. How could I not be thankful for my life when I saw middle school students every day who were living in much more difficult situations than I have ever known in my life.<br /><br />I've heard of so many women lately who have recently their husbands. It is heartbreaking to me to know the pain that they are facing this holiday. It is hard to be grateful when your world has been torn apart. But, in my Facebook memories, a post showed up recently. From Thanksgiving of 2012. In that post, I shared what I was thankful for on that day. Although I was heartbroken, I still had so much to offer thanks to God for.<br /><br /><a href="https://whyy.org/segments/your-brain-on-gratitude-how-a-neuroscientist-used-his-research-to-heal-from-grief/?fbclid=IwAR1vYZ3I4y73IPTC4OpUcqIWgn8P2SQ-5EK9UHyRRsNM2A7LD8dMgWiahgg" target="_blank">Here</a> is a great article on GRATITUDE.<br />My biggest take away is this quote from the article:<br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Fox said it’s a mistake to think of gratitude as a cure for pain — something that can be applied when things get bad to lessen the blow. Instead, he said, it’s a regular practice that shores up our reserves and changes how we perceive the bad times."</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #49545a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>I admit, there were some days when I didn't feel grateful for anything in my life. I remember several times when I was thinking of what I had to be grateful for, and all I could think of was that I was grateful that I wasn't a widow in a Third World Country. That reality did make me feel somewhat better.<br /><br />How about you. What are you grateful for this year? I urge you to take time to think about it before you have to share right before your Thanksgiving meal!!!<br /><br />Many people have been sharing this video on Facebook.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BSxPWpLPN7A/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BSxPWpLPN7A?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>Happy Thanksgiving!! It surely seems to have gotten lost in the flurry of all that is Christmas this year. Let's let tomorrow be all about giving thanks!!</div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-11879157336350840912019-11-22T13:46:00.000-07:002019-11-22T13:46:26.031-07:00What I Wore- Leopard Print<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Two things that are very popular for fall and winter are animal print tops and snakeskin boots!!<br /><br />I recently spoke at my church. As I looked in my closet for something to wear, I suddenly realized that I have nothing to wear in there!!<br /><br />Because I was anxious about getting through my interview, I knew I needed to feel very comfortable in what I was wearing!! I headed to my local Bealls and found this cute top!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NxOEuz9CLcs/XdhGa3SDotI/AAAAAAAB5NE/MuW5R87_TXMOY05FaFLwGyga7ASJdvFgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="673" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NxOEuz9CLcs/XdhGa3SDotI/AAAAAAAB5NE/MuW5R87_TXMOY05FaFLwGyga7ASJdvFgACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0994.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG0JX-OJODc/XdhGa16UDvI/AAAAAAAB5NI/OmBaLko4c6A61pQMCWsZXPIlgV63T6logCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG0JX-OJODc/XdhGa16UDvI/AAAAAAAB5NI/OmBaLko4c6A61pQMCWsZXPIlgV63T6logCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0999.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDrahfXaWJs/XdhGa5VJpYI/AAAAAAAB5NM/OcwqnmwcrSoYPNNbLBAx937CxScB4SCgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="909" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDrahfXaWJs/XdhGa5VJpYI/AAAAAAAB5NM/OcwqnmwcrSoYPNNbLBAx937CxScB4SCgACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1001.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This blouse can be found <a href="https://www.stage.com/p/rebecca-malone-womens-animal-print-pebble-crepe-top/632047/;jsessionid=JAKU08IFdjqgO3GTCg2iOzcb733RSrvRYivQTIPe8aDRMiy1T-d3!1574660449?selectedColor=2276122" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also love these animal print tops from Amazon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18vpkHMrA_s/XdhHvb5lrDI/AAAAAAAB5NY/B3SeDFcdf2090wPcgjU_gIjNi__p1LSkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81E9BEddn4L._AC_UY741_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18vpkHMrA_s/XdhHvb5lrDI/AAAAAAAB5NY/B3SeDFcdf2090wPcgjU_gIjNi__p1LSkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/81E9BEddn4L._AC_UY741_.jpg" title="leopard top" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WJY1WQ3/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07WJY1WQ3&amp;linkId=763e1abbb7f4f98cab3919596096b38d" target="_blank">Here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx4OsWzLE8o/XdhHvmMYs2I/AAAAAAAB5Ng/GwufwHLs4ng4zM60aPhYiwgtaJPXD56EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/leopard%2Bprint%2Btop%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="569" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx4OsWzLE8o/XdhHvmMYs2I/AAAAAAAB5Ng/GwufwHLs4ng4zM60aPhYiwgtaJPXD56EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/leopard%2Bprint%2Btop%2B1.jpg" title="leopard top" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R61QVLQ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07R61QVLQ&amp;linkId=690ac54e262b88bc7fb467fcfa2f2492" target="_blank">HERE</a>.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tj_ZBljjz4/XdhHvnjFQtI/AAAAAAAB5Nc/xBQ32EtwXho6TnfMHAwyjdRrD-KJdkXDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/leopard%2Bprint%2Btop%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tj_ZBljjz4/XdhHvnjFQtI/AAAAAAAB5Nc/xBQ32EtwXho6TnfMHAwyjdRrD-KJdkXDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/leopard%2Bprint%2Btop%2B2.jpg" title="leopard blouse" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Found&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JM5WKHH/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07JM5WKHH&amp;linkId=4e5655e1c5703dc36860817a11e5f501" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Here</a><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-41628940907257759582019-11-19T14:05:00.002-07:002019-11-19T15:59:05.986-07:00A Conversation On Grief (and a Godwink)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>There are videos in this post that, for some reason, don't always come through on RSS feeds. If you receive my blog posts through email or through a blog service, please click <a href="https://www.nowchooselife.net/2019/11/a-conversation-on-grief-and-godwink.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to have full access to the post.</b><br /><br />I was so honored to be part of my pastor's sermon on grief this past Sunday. I was honored and also extremely anxious!! It's hard to tell our stories, isn't it? I'm not sure why I have such a desire to tell others my story. I hope to get a dialogue started about our journeys. That's for sure. I hope to inspire, not necessarily through me, but through what I've learned, so I guess that's a big part of it.<br /><br />When my pastor asked if I would be part of the sermon, I agreed, but definitely started having feelings of anxiety!! The topic of grief is so emotional. Everyone is dealing with a different situation and a different relationship. My concern came from wanting to make sure that my part of the sermon was clear and without mistakes which could take away from the meaning and purpose. (I hope that makes sense).<br /><br />Here is the conversation with my pastor. He did such a great job preparing and leading this discussion!!! He made me feel so at ease, and I'm so grateful!!<br /><br />If you want encouraging messages, you can subscribe on Youtube to get his sermons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCweYsV9nIxhCSWFnv315iQA" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M408d7wR_iE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M408d7wR_iE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br /><br /><br />And now, here is my precious Godwink.<br /><br />First, in case you aren't familiar with the term, let me explain a Godwink!!<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"A Godwink is what some people would call a coincidence, an answered prayer, or simply an experience so astonishing that it could only have come from God." from <a href="https://www.beliefnet.com/video/import/2012/01/what-is-a-godwink.aspx" target="_blank">Beliefnet</a>.</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">I've had several Godwinks with music since Randy passed away. I will write about those next week!! Yes- God has used Aerosmith to wink at me!!!</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">I guess if these other musical Godwinks hadn't happened, I might not have thought as much of what happened Sunday morning. Here is the story:</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">Although I felt fairly prepared for Sunday, I woke up feeling pretty anxious. The topic is so important to me that I let my fear of misspeaking get the best of me. I don't want my verbal typos to take away from the message. I looked over my notes one more time and felt the most anxiety I had felt since I started preparing for this day. I prayed but still felt anxious.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">As I walked into the bedroom where Dr. T was listening to the songs that were going to be sung that morning (he plays the drums some Sundays). I heard Kristene DiMarco's "It Is Well." I walked in just before the part where she sings the words from the old hymn, "It Is Well." (just about 3 minutes into the song)</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Wb_WD1emFQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Wb_WD1emFQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I told Dr. T that I had just had a Godwink. The hymn "It Is Well" was sung at Randy's memorial service. God has used it before in my life to get my attention. If you don't know the story behind the hymn, you can read about it <a href="https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/it-is-well-with-my-soul/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">I've always loved the hymn as I remember singing it in church with my family so many times. After my Grandad passed away, I remember going into my Nana's room to check on her. She was sitting on the side of her bed, and as I sat by her, she told me she was just saying over and over to herself, "It is well with my soul." I knew when Randy passed away that I wanted to have it sung at his service because it had such significance for me.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">I don't believe in coincidence. I believe that God used that old hymn being sung in a new way this past Sunday to just give me a little wink. He used it to say to me. "I'm Here. I am in control!! It's all going to be OK. You will be OK this morning, no matter how badly you mess up what you intend to say. I can still use it!!"</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">I felt such a sense of peace after hearing that song. Before Dr. T left, he reminded me of two things. First, he reminded me that this wasn't about me!!! And, also, he let me know that we would be singing that song right before I sat down with my pastor, Mike. Both of those things I needed to hear!!!</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>So as I stood in church Sunday singing the last song before I was called up, I sang "It Is Well" with a grateful heart. Thank you, God, for caring so much about me!!!<br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">Have you experienced a Godwink? If you haven't, I'd be willing to bet you haven't been looking for them!!!</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">Here is my favorite Godwink book.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYIjwtax3ng/XdRyqore-fI/AAAAAAAB5Lo/NB_nXoey6RcSsE2Bh0Ata-OHsHFQQhuIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/download.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYIjwtax3ng/XdRyqore-fI/AAAAAAAB5Lo/NB_nXoey6RcSsE2Bh0Ata-OHsHFQQhuIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/download.webp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It can be purchased <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785218920/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0785218920&amp;linkId=5616e8337497de05a000327ebceddcc5" target="_blank">HERE</a>.&nbsp;</div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><br /><br />&nbsp;Other Godwink books and movies can be found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;keywords=godwink&amp;index=aps&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;linkId=8ab0c44f1bffc6b7c168e4a69dc9a428" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083463633844267445.post-48963424197077295322019-11-08T11:58:00.001-07:002019-11-08T12:01:01.288-07:00It's Still Fall, Y'all!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjK2ZZ13-c4/XcW0bPwo4aI/AAAAAAAB5Gk/HxhWMu8OJdcmXffDzvQFwjbH1HBjCzQKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0115.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjK2ZZ13-c4/XcW0bPwo4aI/AAAAAAAB5Gk/HxhWMu8OJdcmXffDzvQFwjbH1HBjCzQKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0115.jpeg" title="Thanksgiving decor" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I honestly don't have anything against anyone putting up their Christmas decorations early. Although, it does seem that for some it gets earlier and earlier every year. <br /><br />I happen to still be enjoying my fall colors around our house as well as in what I'm wearing!! It's not too late to put out some fall decorations. Here is a look at my world of fall colors!!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sg1QEmcouG0/XcW0Vylht0I/AAAAAAAB5Gg/hB4BezpfgGcB0rsz1OjNY4hy_FyQ79TSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0649.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sg1QEmcouG0/XcW0Vylht0I/AAAAAAAB5Gg/hB4BezpfgGcB0rsz1OjNY4hy_FyQ79TSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0649.jpeg" title="Thanksgiving decor" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIjDBR52vrY/XcW0bpjBGlI/AAAAAAAB5Go/5F3Yk8aLjZsAzGvCwSkmx9OkV-NjLonlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0671.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIjDBR52vrY/XcW0bpjBGlI/AAAAAAAB5Go/5F3Yk8aLjZsAzGvCwSkmx9OkV-NjLonlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0671.jpeg" title="flameless candles" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhNztSFwqpM/XcW0gzA1y4I/AAAAAAAB5Gs/MitxXBaIx18kDpaFafd1o2ArXFav15mPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0672.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhNztSFwqpM/XcW0gzA1y4I/AAAAAAAB5Gs/MitxXBaIx18kDpaFafd1o2ArXFav15mPACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0672.jpeg" title="Thanksgiving decor" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love decorating with books. I love the different colors of old books. These were weeded out of the library where<br />I used to work. I'm so glad I got them!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzWJt9TswxE/XcW0hLds2FI/AAAAAAAB5Gw/HL9bYpLMGdg8PquPQu1dgQ6FGBnQAwTawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0673.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fall decor" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzWJt9TswxE/XcW0hLds2FI/AAAAAAAB5Gw/HL9bYpLMGdg8PquPQu1dgQ6FGBnQAwTawCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0673.jpeg" title="Thanksgiving decor" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpNS56_DAic/XcW0lug-PhI/AAAAAAAB5G4/-TbFhQTc0Lgrra1GxJsxb1THuofTo_ewgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpNS56_DAic/XcW0lug-PhI/AAAAAAAB5G4/-TbFhQTc0Lgrra1GxJsxb1THuofTo_ewgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0674.jpeg" title=" Fall Thanksgiving decor" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also love decorating with flameless candles. These are on a timer so I never have to turn them on or off.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;You can find similar candles <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;keywords=Antizer%20Flameless%20Candles&amp;index=aps&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=aff9576c6ff5562d654a517f31067ec6" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B06X6G81BX&amp;asins=B06X6G81BX&amp;linkId=143d3ccbb592197ff7a4d5954ae32ff8&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe> <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">As an Amazon Affiliate, I profit from qualifying purchases that you make.</span><br /><br />Although, I don't usually wear earth tones, this time of year I make an exception. Here are a few outfits that I'll continue to wear through Thanksgiving!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vzZrZh7tow/XcW3T_6MpiI/AAAAAAAB5Hg/5UeJYLlLe-MZUgga0i747rC3Cp6qhX3FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0798.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vzZrZh7tow/XcW3T_6MpiI/AAAAAAAB5Hg/5UeJYLlLe-MZUgga0i747rC3Cp6qhX3FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0798.jpeg" title="Thanksgiving outfit" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi2YFq0W6Ks/XcW3dBf0FPI/AAAAAAAB5Hs/pFSS681S5xA8Icb7sJSDFD_2_9zo-mb7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0799.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="893" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi2YFq0W6Ks/XcW3dBf0FPI/AAAAAAAB5Hs/pFSS681S5xA8Icb7sJSDFD_2_9zo-mb7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0799.jpeg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have loved this green blouse. It is comfortable and easy to wear.&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=nowchooseli07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B015MGEFIO&amp;asins=B015MGEFIO&amp;linkId=c2666bf7a97383f98312477cfc1fc74a&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8YaiHvgJ8Q/XcW3Z1RAolI/AAAAAAAB5Hk/7Z99RdDdpeYzKWxc-BVfdfRcaHijwkZ-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0821.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="921" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8YaiHvgJ8Q/XcW3Z1RAolI/AAAAAAAB5Hk/7Z99RdDdpeYzKWxc-BVfdfRcaHijwkZ-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0821.jpeg" title="What to wear Thanksgiving" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This could be a great outfit for Thanksgiving!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8RKDRPqLxc/XcW3croZGNI/AAAAAAAB5Ho/1PeITazeRlcsWs7O2Ytv6xmfHSEpWZUngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0869.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1014" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8RKDRPqLxc/XcW3croZGNI/AAAAAAAB5Ho/1PeITazeRlcsWs7O2Ytv6xmfHSEpWZUngCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0869.jpeg" title="Thanksgiving outfit" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've shared this vest before. There are so many colors to choose from.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It can be found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;keywords=Sumtory%20Womens%20Sleeveless%20Woolen%20Jackets%20Lapel%20Casual&amp;index=aps&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=032a3d1100609c58c488e9f9a8389060" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20&amp;keywords=Sumtory%20Womens%20Sleeveless%20Woolen%20Jackets%20Lapel%20Casual&amp;index=aps&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=7b10506ea5c54e3c529f250bb6ef8b20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ASIN=B076VM58MQ&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;tag=nowchooseli07-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=nowchooseli07-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1&amp;camp=1789" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>Now Choose Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550408414439805791noreply@blogger.com0